Proposed diversion of footpaths through Sibford School
Countryside Access Legal
Oxfordshire County Council
County Hall
Oxford
OX1 1ND
Director of Environment & Highways
Date: 10th June 2025
Our Ref: ABS/03834
Postcode: OX15 5QL
Dear Sir/Madam,
Informal Consultation
Proposed Diversion – Parts of Sibford Ferris Footpaths No 4 and 7
Proposed Extinguishment – Parts of Sibford Ferris Footpaths No 4 and 5
Highways Act 1980 s119 and s118
Sibford Ferris School.
This consultation concerns alterations to public paths in the parish of Sibford Ferris. Comments received in response to the consultation will be considered when the Council decides whether to make public path Orders reflecting the proposed changes.
The Council has powers to make Orders to divert and extinguish public rights of way under section 119 and s118 of the Highways Act 1980 respectively. A diversion Order would be made in the interests of the owner of the land crossed by the footpaths and an extinguishment Order would be made on the grounds that the paths are not needed for public use.
The proposed changes are shown on Plan HA 1980 s119/715/03834 and shows the existing lengths of FP4 and FP7 to be diverted as lengths A – B – C – D and E – F – G – H – I – J, and the existing lengths of FP4 and FP5 to be extinguished as lengths B – P and K – Q – C – P – F, respectively.
The footpaths run directly through the school site passing close to classrooms and buildings. The paths also and run where children congregate, move between buildings and cross the site. The buildings are the Junior School, Fielding Boarding House, Science Block, Dining Hall, Staffroom, Art Block, Sports Hall, Horticulture Block, over Penn playing field and across a football training pitch. The paths’ routes in front of the boarding house gives uninterrupted views into these private areas for students (the length of Fp5 between Point P – F runs through one of the boarding houses) and one of the staff’s private gardens.
Sibford Ferris School are bound by government guidance set out in ‘Keeping Children Safe in Education 2024’ (KCSIE) which details responsibilities as a School regarding the safeguarding of the children that attend, both as day pupils and boarders. By rerouting the footpaths to the school edges, therefore avoiding areas where children are attending to their school day, the school can better safeguard them, particularly as the paths run directly through and close to the buildings. The length of FP7 G – H is a particular case in point as the paths runs through a quadrangle between the dining room and other school buildings close by.
The new routes and widths are shown on the plan as the length M – N – O – J along an access (Points M – N), the edge of the field pitches with countryside views (Points N – O) and between a woodland strip and a hedge line (Points O – J), and the edge of the open lawned area (Points K – L – D). One pedestrian gate would be installed at Point N. The widths of the new paths would be 3m, except between N – O which would be 5m, and all surfaces would be grass, crushed stone and gravel (Points M – N) or compacted earth in part (north of Point J). The Council will carry out waymarking following a diversion.
In conclusion, the school have concerns that the public footpaths running straight through the site bring the public into contact with children at school. Re- routing the current footpaths to the school boundaries would reduce this concern and enable improved security and safeguarding to take place.
Any comments received will be considered when OCC decides whether or not to make an Order. I would be grateful for any comments by 22nd July 2025. Should you have any queries, please do not hesitate in contacting me on the below number.
Yours faithfully,
Andy Sylvester
Technical Lead – Public Path Orders and Agreements
Direct line: 07919 306237
Email: andy.sylvester@oxfordshire.gov.uk