PARENTS in South and West Oxford have called for a new 880-pupil secondary school to be sited on a west Oxford industrial estate.

The Swan School is set to open in September 2017 because The Cherwell School, in Marston Ferry Road, north Oxford, is oversubscribed. However, a location has still not been decided.

Parents say that without a secondary school in the area, children are forced to go to schools as far away as Eynsham, meaning friendship groups are being torn apart.

Speculation it could be located in Marston, possibly on the site of Meadowbrook College, has led to a petition for it to go to Osney Mead, off Botley Road. It has already been signed by more than 200 parents.

The move is also supported by Oxford City Council leader Bob Price, who said it could fit into a planned large-scale redevelopment of the area.

Father-of-two Matthew Reece, from Grandpont, started the petition when he heard about the Swan School's hunt for a location.

The 47-year-old secondary school teacher, whose eldest son is in Year 4, said: "We have a lovely vibrant community in South Oxford but when our children get to secondary school age they are scattered to the four winds.

"That will be difficult for some children, it's about friendships as well, it would be nice for them to stay together in the community.

"We must be the only area in the city without a secondary school nearby.

He added: "Osney Mead looks like it will be redeveloped and it would be great to put the Swan School there. A lot of children cycle to school and would be able to do that there. There's a playing field nearby too."

The River Learning Trust announced its plans for the new free school last year after more than 100 children within the catchment area of The Cherwell School – which the trust runs – missed out on a place.

Megan Douthwaite, from Grandpont, has two children at St Ebbe’s Primary School and said a new secondary school in South Oxford was desperately needed.

The 46-year-old academic said: "The last cohort of Year Six children were scattered across eight different secondary schools, which is quite extraordinary.

"It’s a tight community and there are children who have been together right from nursery. My son William is in Year Five and it is an anxious time for him and our family."

Oxford University wants to transform the Osney Mead area into a mixed development featuring offices, research facilities, and housing.

Oxford City Council leader Bob Price backed the parents' calls for the school to fit into the scheme.

He said: "It would make sense for the school to go in Osney Mead, which is due to be redeveloped.

"With the longer term expansion of Oxpens – which will bring 400-500 new homes – and Osney Mead itself, the number of people in the area is going to increase.

"For example you could put another storey on top of the King's Centre and turn that into a school – there is a lot of potential."

Mr Price said he had recently urged the River Learning Trust not to "forget" the Osney Mead option after hearing rumours the Swan School would be located at Meadowbrook College, a pupil referral unit in Marston.

The county council's education scrutiny committee chairman Mark Gray called for a consultation on the city's need for school places to determine the location.

But Paul James, chief executive of the River Learning Trust, said the location must be decided first.

He said: "We cannot proceed further without consulting with the families and community around the new school but we cannot do this until we know where the school will be located."