Orion Academy - age range extension

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Consultation has concluded

Introduction

The Gallery Trust is seeking views from interested parties on their proposal to extend the age range of students at Orion Academy, Knights Road, Oxford.

This will allow Orion to support the ongoing and increasing need for places for students with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) in Oxfordshire by accepting some primary age pupils alongside their current cohort.

Currently, there are insufficient school places for students with SEND, and the supply of places is not meeting the demand.

What is the proposal?

Orion Academy and The Gallery Trust are working with Oxfordshire County Council to provide access to suitable special school placements locally for students with special educational needs, particularly those with social, emotional and mental health needs (SEMH).

The proposal is to change the age range at Orion Academy from 10 – 18 years old (years 7 – 13) to 5 – 18 years old (years 1 – 13). This proposal will allow the Academy to offer places for younger students allowing earlier access to specialist support, improving long-term educational, social, and emotional outcomes.

Younger pupils will be admitted gradually from January 2026, with around 30 students across Years 1 – 6 (three primary classes), making up 25–30% of the school once established. The school’s overall capacity will remain at 108 students.


You can find out more about the proposal by following this link: Orion Age Range Extension
(By clicking this link, you will be taken to an external site hosted by the Gallery Trust)


The consultation period runs from 8 Sep 2025 - 5 Oct, 2025


Respond to this proposal

You can complete the online consultation survey here: Public Consultation on change of age range at Orion Academy

(By clicking this link, you will be taken to an external site hosted by the Gallery Trust)

Oxfordshire County Council is hosting this information on behalf of Orion Academy and the Gallery Trust.

Introduction

The Gallery Trust is seeking views from interested parties on their proposal to extend the age range of students at Orion Academy, Knights Road, Oxford.

This will allow Orion to support the ongoing and increasing need for places for students with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) in Oxfordshire by accepting some primary age pupils alongside their current cohort.

Currently, there are insufficient school places for students with SEND, and the supply of places is not meeting the demand.

What is the proposal?

Orion Academy and The Gallery Trust are working with Oxfordshire County Council to provide access to suitable special school placements locally for students with special educational needs, particularly those with social, emotional and mental health needs (SEMH).

The proposal is to change the age range at Orion Academy from 10 – 18 years old (years 7 – 13) to 5 – 18 years old (years 1 – 13). This proposal will allow the Academy to offer places for younger students allowing earlier access to specialist support, improving long-term educational, social, and emotional outcomes.

Younger pupils will be admitted gradually from January 2026, with around 30 students across Years 1 – 6 (three primary classes), making up 25–30% of the school once established. The school’s overall capacity will remain at 108 students.


You can find out more about the proposal by following this link: Orion Age Range Extension
(By clicking this link, you will be taken to an external site hosted by the Gallery Trust)


The consultation period runs from 8 Sep 2025 - 5 Oct, 2025


Respond to this proposal

You can complete the online consultation survey here: Public Consultation on change of age range at Orion Academy

(By clicking this link, you will be taken to an external site hosted by the Gallery Trust)

Oxfordshire County Council is hosting this information on behalf of Orion Academy and the Gallery Trust.