An Oxfordshire secondary school is to be knocked down and completely rebuilt as part of a government scheme.

Gosford Hill in Kidlington is one of around 400 schools across the country that will be redeveloped after being allocated funding from the Department for Education’s School Rebuilding Programme (SRB).

Details of the project were published yesterday on the website www.gosfordhillplans.co.uk, where the public can register for updates and leave feedback.

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The deadline for feedback on the proposals to be received is Wednesday, November 22.

The website also contains details of a public exhibition that is being held on Tuesday, November 14 from 5.30pm to 8.30pm at the school in Oxford Road.

Timescales and costs for the project have not been revealed at this stage.

Under the School Rebuilding Programme, schools and sixth-form colleges across England are allocated funding for major rebuilding and refurbishment projects.

Oxford Mail: Gosford Hill School in KidlingtonTwo other schools in Oxfordshire have been allocated funding under the programme – Didcot Girls’ School and Oxford Spires Academy.

The project has been described as a “transformative moment for Kidlington” by Gosford Hill headteacher Nigel Sellars.

Mr Sellars added: “This is a huge moment for the school and the fantastic community we are privileged to serve.

“Every community deserves a great school at its heart – and this rebuilding project means Gosford Hill can be a great school at the heart of Kidlington for years to come. 

“These are pivotal times in the school’s history.

“The quality of the education we deliver was recognised by Ofsted last year – and the creation of these fantastic new facilities means we will have a wonderful setting in which to deliver that education to children and young people in the area.”

Oxford Mail: Gosford Hill School is being rebuiltThe firm leading the regeneration of Gosford Hill is Bowmer + Kirkland.

The regeneration plans are the latest piece of good news for Gosford Hill.

Last year, the school was upgraded to 'Good' by Ofsted, with inspectors from the national education standards body recognising that staff “have significantly improved the quality of education”.

Former students at Gosford Hill include Professor Irene Tracey, who last year became the first ever comprehensive-educated vice-chancellor of the University of Oxford.

When she was appointed vice-chancellor, Prof Tracey said: “Coming to Oxford University from a terrific local school, Gosford Hill, I know well the transformative power that great teachers, professors and a good education can have throughout one’s career.”

Oxford Mail: Nigel Sellars, headteacher of Gosford Hill SchoolNigel Sellars, headteacher of Gosford Hill School (Image: Photo: Oxford Mail)Other Gosford Hill alumni include singer-songwriter Nick Cope and BBC Radio 1Xtra presenter and reggae DJ David Rodigan MBE.

Gosford Hill is part of River Learning Trust, a multi academy trust made up of 28 schools in Oxfordshire and Swindon.

Other secondary schools in the trust include The Cherwell School in North Oxford and The Marlborough School in Woodstock.

Paul James, chief executive of RLT, said: “We are delighted to be able to give people a first look at a project that could have such a positive impact on the Kidlington community for decades to come.”

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About the author 

Andy is the Trade and Tourism reporter for the Oxford Mail and you can sign up to his newsletters for free here. 

He joined the team more than 20 years ago and he covers community news across Oxfordshire.

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