ABOUT US

Bishopswood School opened in 1977 at Gallowstree Common to serve the South Oxfordshire, Reading, and Caversham areas. It was a new building with six classes.

In 1984, secondary-age pupils were provided with a classroom at Chiltern Edge Comprehensive School. The former Parkview School and the Mary Sheridan Unit of Borocourt Hospital were merged with Bishopswood two years ago. At this time, our pupils were only entitled to full-time education until the age of 16, but following a challenge by parents, the Secretary of State ruled to extend provision up to the age of 19. A relevant course was established for post 16 provision at Henley Technical College, now The Henley College, where we have been able to establish very significant links over the years. 

 In 1986 the Education Committee agreed to fund the completion of the process by providing new accommodation at Sonning Common Primary and Chiltern Edge Secondary so that all pupils, whatever their level of need, could benefit from meaningful inclusion opportunities. In 1987 the Education Committee decided to set up a new nursery school in Henley at Valley Road Primary School. The governors of Bishopswood recognised an opportunity to ensure a consistent integration offer from 2-16 and negotiated for our nursery class to be transferred there. 

In 2022, Bishopswood is a Local Authority maintained community special school in South Oxfordshire that provides education for children aged 2 – 16 years with severe (SLD) or profound and multiple learning difficulties (PMLD) and complex needs, including pupils with ASD. We are a school that prides itself in providing innovative learning techniques to meet the wide-ranging needs of our pupils. 

 In April 2022, The Propeller Academy Trust was chosen by the Regional Schools Commissioner as the preferred sponsor of Bishopswood School. 

In January 2023, Bishopswood School joined The Propeller Academy Trust. https://www.thepropelleracademytrust.org.uk/