A SHORTLIST has been drawn up of academy trusts to run the new schools in Didcot.

Oxfordshire County Council is planning to open two primary schools and a co-educational secondary school because of the growth in population linked to the Great Western Park development.

Because of changes in the law, these new schools have to be academies with more freedom from council control.

The specification did not impose restrictions on the nature of provider because local consultation was inconclusive.

A shortlist of four trusts has been draw up and includes: Barnfield Schole Academy Trust, Catholic Diocese of Portsmouth, GEMS Learning Trust and Glyn Learning Foundation (GLF).

A report to the county council said the two highest scoring providers were GLF and GEMS.

The county council’s cabinet will meet on Tuesday to decide which of the schools these two trusts should run.

The meeting at 2pm will be open to the public.