Biggleswade area
Latest news
November 8, 2023, update: Six months ago, Central Bedfordshire Council’s new administration paused work on the three to two-tier transition programme for some areas to ensure the plans are affordable and deliverable. We committed to updating you in the autumn, so here is an update on the work we have been doing and what this means.
We remain totally committed to:
- supporting all three-tier schools across Central Bedfordshire to transition to the established primary and secondary school (two-tier) model
- investing in school maintenance
- providing more school places where needed
- creating specialist provision for children with special educational needs
The Council is investing £140m in this work over the next few years.
We have thoroughly reviewed the two-tier and new school place plans against the budget, while considering the projected number of school-age children in Central Bedfordshire in the coming years.
You may be aware that birth rates are decreasing across the country, with the impact now being seen from the pandemic, while many residents are also facing increased costs. We currently forecast our demand for school places over a rolling five-year period, and this will continue to be updated annually.
Our plans need to reflect these changes. In light of the new forecast data and budget constraints, we have made some decisions.
Where we are now
Potton Lower and Potton Middle become Potton Primary School
Effective September 1, 2023, Potton Lower and Potton Middle schools amalgamated to become a primary school.
Schools in the Biggleswade area
In February 2023, Central Bedfordshire Council’s Executive Committee approved proposals for Council-maintained lower and middle schools in the Biggleswade area to transition to either primary or secondary from September 2024.
The decision referenced an analysis report on the feedback from a statutory consultation held between October and December 2022, which showed majority support for the proposals. The following changes are planned to take place from September 2024:
- Wrestlingworth Lower School will become an infant/junior school with Dunton Lower School
- Dunton Lower School will become an infant/junior school with Wrestlingworth Lower School
- St Andrew’s (East) Lower School will become a primary school
- St Andrew’s (West) Lower School will become a primary school
- Sutton Lower School will become a primary school
- Edward Peake Middle School will become a secondary school
While the Council is not the decision-maker for academies in the Biggleswade area, it will support their ongoing, parallel significant change process as they seek approval from the Department for Education's Regional Director’s Office to make the following changes from September 2024:
- Biggleswade Academy lower and middle schools will merge to become a primary school
- Caldecote Academy (Lower) will become a primary school
- Lawnside Academy (Lower) will become a primary school
- Northill CofE Academy (Lower) will become a primary school
- Stratton Upper School will become a secondary school
Funding
The Council has approved the necessary capital funding to implement these changes at all schools and academies in the Biggleswade area. This includes £14 million from Homes England’s Housing Infrastructure Fund (HIF), which has been retained to support change in the Biggleswade area.
The following table indicates the current status of each school in this area on its journey within the Schools for the Future programme. The dates indicated below are subject to change, pending the outcome of a statutory consultation for changes to council-maintained schools in the Biggleswade area (except for the Potton Lower and Potton Middle plans which have already been approved), and in line with the development of the outline phasing plan, which will be published on this website when available. Academy schools will be required to undertake their own consultations and then submit a business case and seek approval for a change of age range to the Department for Education (DfE) Regional Director for the East of England.
| School | "Have your say" consultation | Statutory consultation, or approval from DfE Regional Director for the East of England Region | Design and planning | Implementation of agreed building changes | Two Tier Transition Date (Subject to agreed model) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Potton Lower (now Potton Primary) | Completed | Completed | Completed | Completed | 2023 |
| Potton Middle (now Potton Primary) | Completed | Completed | Completed | Completed | 2023 |
| Biggleswade Academy | Completed | Approved | Contractor appointment underway | Not started | 2024 |
| Caldecote Academy | Completed | Approved | Contractor appointment underway | Not started | 2024 |
| Dunton Lower | Completed | Completed | Contractor appointment underway | Not started | 2024 |
| Edward Peak | Completed | Completed | Constructor appointed | Not started | 2024 |
| Lawnside Academy | Completed | Approved | Constructor appointed | Not started | 2024 |
| Northill CofE Academy | Completed | Approved | Constructor appointed | Not started | 2024 |
| St Andrew’s CofE - East | Completed | Completed | Contract to be awarded in November | Not started | 2024 |
| St Andrew’s CofE - West | Completed | Completed | Contract to be awarded in November | Not started | 2024 |
| Stratton Upper | Completed | Approved | Constructor to be appointed in December | Not started | 2024 |
| Sutton Lower | Completed | Completed | Constructor appointed | Not started | 2024 |
| Wrestlingworth Lower | Completed | Completed | Contract to be awarded in November | Not started | 2024 |
What happens next?
Schools in the Biggleswade area (except Potton Primary school)
From September 2024, the following changes will take place:
- Wrestlingworth Lower School will become an infant/junior with Dunton Lower School
- Dunton Lower School will become an infant/junior with Wrestlingworth Lower School
- St Andrew’s (East) Lower School will become a primary school
- St Andrew’s (West) Lower School will become a primary school
- Sutton Lower School will become a primary school
- Edward Peake Middle School will become a secondary school
Where required, some schools will require the construction of new buildings and facilities to support the transition to the two-tier model of education. For example, subject to planning consent, any middle school proposed to be converted to a secondary school is highly likely to require additional facilities to support a secondary curriculum.
Any new information will be made available on this web page.
Central Bedfordshire Council will support each academy (Caldecote Academy, Northill CofE Lower, Lawnside Academy, Biggleswade Academy and Stratton Upper School) in the ongoing, parallel significant change process being undertaken by them, as they seek approval from the Department for Education's Regional Director for the East of England (formerly the Regional Schools Commissioner) for a change of age range.
Background
2022 statutory consultation (now closed)
A statutory consultation closed on December 7, 2022, regards revised proposals for the Central Bedfordshire Council-maintained schools in the Biggleswade area to change from the three-tier to the two-tier model of education.
These proposals are for the following schools to become primary schools:
- Dunton Lower becoming a junior school (Years 3-6)
- Wrestlingworth Lower becoming an infant school (Reception to Year 2)
- St Andrew’s Lower (East and West)
- Sutton Lower
Changing to become secondaries:
- Stratton Upper School
Also in October 2022, Central Bedfordshire Council’s Executive Committee confirmed the following changes to the original model:
- a new secondary school in the east of Biggleswade will no longer be built
- Edward Peake Middle School will remain on its existing site when changing to a secondary school
- Lawnside Lower School will remain on its existing site when changing to a primary school
- Dunton and Wrestlingworth lower schools will remain on their existing sites but with children in Reception to Year 2 attending Wrestlingworth and children in Years 3-6 attending Dunton
- a reduction of school places at Caldecote Academy
- no requirement to provide new sixth-form locations
The original model, consulted on in summer 2021, was revised based on public feedback, early feasibility studies, and revised pupil forecast data, which showed that more secondary school places were available than needed.
Building a new school with too many surplus places could lead to low enrollment, difficulties in recruiting teachers, and challenges in delivering a full curriculum, negatively impacting children's education.
Additionally, new pupil growth forecasts and feedback from the pre-statutory consultation held in 2021 significantly influenced the formation of a revised model for education in the Biggleswade area. Particularly in the case of Edward Peake Middle School, this will address concerns received during the pre-statutory consultation in summer 2021 about the school moving out of town.
Changes to Potton Lower and Potton Middle
On June 7, 2022, Central Bedfordshire Council’s Executive Committee approved the amalgamation of Potton Lower School and Potton Middle School to create a primary school from September 2023.
The Executive noted the feedback from the statutory notice for changes to Potton Lower School and Potton Middle School to create a primary school. The approved recommendations are for:
- a change of age range of Potton Lower School
- the formal closure of Potton Middle School
Watch the webcast of the Executive Committee meeting.
This followed a statutory consultation that ran from March 4, 2020, to April 12, 2022. Details of the consultation are in the section below.
Amalgamating Potton Lower and Potton Middle schools to create a primary school is part of the Schools for the Future programme in Biggleswade and the surrounding area, expected to grow with up to 3,351 new homes by 2035, requiring an estimated 2,613 additional school places by 2035.
The schools and the council consulted in 2021 on changes to local schools to meet this demand. Following the closure of the first stage of consultation, the proposals for the schools and academies within Biggleswade and the surrounding area have been revised, with the council moving ahead with proposals for Potton at this time.
The reason for the earlier change at the two Potton schools, ahead of other schools in this area, is in direct response to nearby schools in other areas that have already altered their age range, resulting in reduced pupil numbers at Potton in Years 7 and 8.
The school has a duty to ensure the presence and availability of teaching staff and to maintain the environment for the pupils on roll in Years 7 and 8, and in doing so, this is currently making the school financially unviable.
2021 Have Your Say consultation (now closed)
This consultation, which ran for 14 weeks and closed on September 28th, proposed that:
- Potton Middle School and Potton Lower School schools would amalgamate and become a primary in 2022
- all existing lower schools and Biggleswade Academy would become primary schools
- a new primary school would be built on land east of Biggleswade
- there are three possible options for Wrestlingworth CofE VC Lower School and Dunton CofE VC Lower School, including amalgamation
- Edward Peake CofE VC Middle School and Stratton Upper would become secondary schools
- a new secondary school would be built on land east of Biggleswade (this is a different site from the new primary on land east of Biggleswade). Edward Peake CofE VC Middle School would become a secondary school and relocate to this new school
- Lawnside Academy would move to the vacated Edward Peake CofE VC Middle School site
- there would be one sixth form open to pupils of both secondary schools (currently Stratton Upper and Edward Peake CofE VC Middle School)
Consultation results
There were 353 responses received, largely from around the Biggleswade area and surrounding villages.
The consultation was promoted through the following channels:
- letters directly to parents issued by schools
- local press
- emails to more than 67,000 subscribers of council updates
- consistent promotion during the consultation period on social media (via the #SchoolsForTheFuture hashtag)
The full analysis of the Have Your Say consultation can be reviewed on the Central Bedfordshire Council website, but a high-level summary of the feedback is provided below:
Overall plan
- 96% of respondents agreed that it is important or very important for the schools and council to develop a long-term plan for school places
- 58% of respondents agreed with the move to a two-tier model of education
- 87% of respondents agreed that it is important or very important for the schools in the area to work together to coordinate change
- Free text comments highlighted the importance of village schools, schooling in the community, focusing on the child, and ensuring a good geographical spread of schools in the area
Schools with majority (50%+) support for proposals
- 100% support for proposed changes at Caldecote Academy (currently a lower school), although this is from a low number of responses
- 80% support for proposed changes at Northill CofE Academy (currently a lower school), although this is from a low number of responses
- 83% support for proposed changes at St Andrews Lower East
- 85% support for proposed changes at St Andrews Lower West
- 61% support for proposed changes at Sutton Lower School, with comments about the need for changes to make financial sense
- 73% support for proposed changes at Stratton Upper School, with comments about the school's current Ofsted rating
- 63% support for the proposed town sixth form, with comments suggesting multiple sites and an increase in vocational offerings locally. Further comments identified that Stratton Upper School should provide the sixth form provision as they have experience
Schools with less than 50% support for proposals
- 38% support for the proposed changes at Biggleswade Academy (currently middle, deemed primary). Comments suggested it could be an all-through school and highlighted that the school is rated ‘good’ but is losing out to ‘requires improvement’ schools.
- 12% support for the proposed changes at Lawnside Academy (currently a lower school). Comments highlighted concerns over the school's current Ofsted rating and issues with retaining students.
- 20% support for the proposed new primary school at land East of Biggleswade. Comments raised concerns about multiple schools in a small area of town, with some pointing out dependency on other plans or planning permission.
- 41% support for proposed changes at Potton Lower & Middle Schools. Comments related to the timing of this change being different from other schools in the cluster.
- 42% support for proposed changes at Edward Peake Middle School. Comments noted the recent refurbishment investments and suggested a conversion to a secondary school on the current site.
Dunton and Wrestlingworth options
Three options were included in the Biggleswade Have Your Say Consultation:
- Option A: Dunton CofE VC Lower and Wrestlingworth CofE VC Lower convert to primary on their existing sites
- Option B: Dunton CofE VC Lower and Wrestlingworth CofE VC Lower amalgamate to become a 1FE primary school at the Dunton school site
- Option C: Dunton CofE VC Lower and Wrestlingworth CofE VC Lower amalgamate and relocate as the new 2FE Primary School at Land East of Biggleswade
- the Dunton and Wrestlingworth options saw the largest number of responses within the consultation
- 31% of respondents agreed that the right factors were identified
- 91% support for Option A as the proposal for Dunton and Wrestlingworth Schools
- 4% support for Option B as the proposal for Dunton and Wrestlingworth Schools
- 5% support for Option C as the proposal for Dunton and Wrestlingworth Schools
- comments highlighted the need for the school system to enable parental choice for smaller schools and classes, emphasizing the importance of these schools to the respective villages they serve
- further comments related to the current Ofsted ratings of the schools and the need for sustainable transport options, including children being able to walk to school
Recommendations
Having taken the time to consider the feedback, Central Bedfordshire Council’s Executive are asked to:
- note and consider the Have Your Say consultation response
- authorize a move to statutory notice for the closure of Potton Middle School and the change of age range of Potton Lower School to become a primary school for September 2023, utilizing the buildings and infrastructure of both the Potton Lower and Potton Middle sites as required
- agree to receive a further report on the model and timescale for the Biggleswade cluster of schools’ transition to a two-tier system of education, taking into account the revised pupil growth forecast, outcome of the consultation, and indicative budgets
Have Your Say consultation - closed on September 28, 2021
Below is the consultation as it was set out in the summer of 2021.
Central Bedfordshire is a great place to live and work. That’s why the number of local residents and homes are set to grow in the coming years. Across the area, 43,000 new homes are expected to be built by 2035, which means a lot more school places will be needed.
Because of the need for change, local schools have been working together with Central Bedfordshire Council on the ambitious Schools for the Future programme. This is a long-term plan to raise education standards and make sure there are:
- the right schools
- in the right places
- delivering the best education
The aim of this is to ensure children and young people achieve the best possible outcomes in their education while making the best use of public money.
Biggleswade, like the rest of Central Bedfordshire, has historically been an area where the schools operate in the three-tier model of education, where pupils start in lower school before transitioning to middle school and then an upper school.
Following the introduction of academization, schools have had more control to change the age range they cater for. This has resulted in a mixed landscape of schools in Central Bedfordshire that now also includes primary and secondary schools as well as some hybrid models.
This is confusing for many parents, and some are already choosing to send their children to secondary schools in other areas. Also, where changes occur to the age ranges of schools without coordination, there is a negative impact on the viability of other schools in the area.
Due to the decline in the number of middle schools nationwide (from a peak of 1,400 in 1983 to just over 100 now, including 14 in Central Bedfordshire), teacher training is now focused on the primary/secondary model. In moving to this model of education, schools will be better placed to attract and retain the best teachers.
The primary/secondary model also provides simpler pathways for children as they only move once between schools. As disruption is reduced, it ensures children and young people are better placed to succeed as it allows secondary schools to have a five-year curriculum leading up to GCSEs.
In 2018, a decision was taken by Central Bedfordshire Council to support schools that want to work towards a primary and secondary model of education, considering that:
- the appropriate resources are in place to do so
- change is coordinated
- change supports improvements in educational outcomes
The Schools for the Future Programme aims to:
- ensure sufficient places (appropriately located) to best meet demand from housing growth
- improve educational outcomes at all key stages
- shape the future educational landscape to provide clear educational pathways and reduce the number of transitions
- deliver best value to ensure viability
- facilitate more school-based SEND (special educational needs and disability) provision, early years provision on school sites, and school-based sixth form provision
The rest of this document sets out the plans for delivering these objectives in Biggleswade and the surrounding area.
Demand for new school places
Biggleswade is an area of Central Bedfordshire that is expected to grow, with up to 3,351 new homes to be built by 2035, which would mean an estimated 2,613 additional school places will be needed by 2035. The majority of this growth is in the east of Biggleswade, where around 1,500 homes are planned.
Overall, in Biggleswade alone, 987 new homes are expected by 2025, with 770 forecasted pupils across all year groups. Beyond 2031, there will be 3,057 new homes, with 2,384 forecasted pupils.
This map indicates where the housing growth is in Biggleswade.
Funding for new schools
Central Bedfordshire Council has successfully secured £69.6 million of government funding to provide much-needed new infrastructure and services to support the planned 3,000 new homes in Biggleswade. This funding, known as the Biggleswade Housing Infrastructure Fund (HIF), includes a £14 million contribution for a new secondary school for Biggleswade.
This funding must be spent by March 2024, and the new secondary school is scheduled to be completed by September 2024.
As with all large housing developments, developers are required to provide some community facilities through a Section 106 (S106) agreement. In this case, the development for the 1,500 new homes on land east of Biggleswade includes the provision of a new primary school.
These two new schools, which will both be located on the land east of the town and closest to the housing growth, are included in this proposed plan.
Summary of proposed changes
This consultation seeks your views on proposals to move the schools in Biggleswade and the surrounding area to a primary/secondary model of education and provide the required new school places.
The proposals include the following changes between 2022 and 2024 at the earliest:
- Potton Middle School and Potton Lower School to amalgamate and become a primary school
- all existing lower schools and Biggleswade Academy to become primary schools
- a new primary school on land east of Biggleswade
- possible options for Wrestlingworth CofE VC Lower School and Dunton CofE VC Lower School, including amalgamation
- Edward Peake CofE VC Middle School and Stratton Upper to become secondary schools
- a new secondary school on land east of Biggleswade (this is a different site from the new primary on land east of Biggleswade). Edward Peake CofE VC Middle School would become a secondary school and relocate to this new school
- Lawnside Academy moves to the vacated Edward Peake CofE VC Middle School site
- there would be one sixth form open to pupils of both secondary schools (currently Stratton Upper and Edward Peake CofE VC Middle School)
Schools in the area now
There are currently 12 schools in Biggleswade and the surrounding area: eight lower schools, with pupils moving into two middle schools (Edward Peake CofE VC Middle School and Potton Middle School) and then on to Stratton Upper School. Biggleswade Academy is an extended middle school, covering lower and middle school ages. The following map indicates where all of these schools are currently located.
Source: Google Maps
The Biggleswade area is close to Cambridgeshire, which is a two-tier area, and Sandy, which has a secondary school. More and more pupils are leaving middle school early to attend secondary schools nearby. The schools in this area are a mixture of council-maintained schools and 5 academies (which are independent of the council). Stratton Upper School is the existing post-16 education provider.
The following map shows the current location of all the lower, middle, and upper schools and the classes in each year group that each school has (i.e., the number of classes in each year group):
Please note: In the above map, Biggleswade Academy is represented by two circles, even though it is one school. The light blue circle represents the number of year groups (three) in Reception to Year 4, and the dark blue circle represents the number of year groups (five) in Year 5 to Year 8.
The following table shows the schools included in this area, their current school type, pupil admission number (PAN), current capacity, and the number of pupils at the school as of spring 2021:
| School name | Current school type | PAN | Current school capacity | Pupils at the school (spring 2021) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Biggleswade Academy | Middle school deemed a primary * | 90 Lower pupils 140 Middle pupils |
450 lower pupils 560 middle pupils |
922 pupils |
| Caldecote CofE Academy | Lower | 24 pupils | 120 pupils | 55 pupils |
| Dunton CofE VC Lower School | Lower | 15 pupils | 75 pupils | 62 pupils |
| Wrestlingworth CofE VC Lower School | Lower | 13 pupils | 65 pupils | 54 pupils |
| Lawnside Academy | Lower | 60 pupils | 300 pupils | 213 pupils |
| Northill CofE VA Lower School ** | Lower | 15 pupils | 75 pupils | 66 pupils |
| Potton Lower School | Lower | 60 pupils | 300 pupils | 268 pupils |
| Potton Middle School | Middle | 90 pupils | 360 pupils | 184 pupils |
| St Andrew’s CofE VC Lower School – East | Lower | 90 pupils | 450 pupils | 761 pupils |
| St Andrew’s CofE VC Lower School – West | Lower | 90 pupils | 450 pupils | |
| Sutton CofE VA Lower School | Lower | 15 pupils | 75 pupils | 73 pupils |
| Edward Peake CofE VC Middle School | Middle | 210 pupils | 840 pupils | 546 pupils |
| Stratton Upper (Yr9-11 only) | Upper | 330 pupils | 990 pupils | 682 pupils |
* Recorded here as lower and middle school aged pupils
** Northill CofE VA Lower School is in the process of converting to an academy in the summer/autumn 2021.
As the table shows, all of the schools are currently not filled to capacity. This has been accounted for in the forecasting and demand for new school places.
Some of this is because parents are already choosing to send their children to other secondary schools, which accounts for some of the lower number of pupils in the middle and upper schools. Low pupil numbers impact on the financial viability of schools.
Proposed changes in detail
This document outlines the proposed changes to schools in Biggleswade and the surrounding area, which would see them transition from the current three-tier model of education to a primary/secondary model, in line with neighbouring areas and the rest of the country.
By making this change, it will reduce transition points, which will support the improvement of educational attainment, as well as aid recruitment and retention of the teaching workforce. It will also help improve school viability and provide a clearer pathway for children and parents.
The focus has been on making sure children and young people have the best educational journey, both through the transition to the primary/secondary model and beyond.
The proposals include the following changes between 2022 and 2024 at the earliest:
- Potton Middle School and Potton Lower School to amalgamate and become a primary
- all existing lower schools and Biggleswade Academy to become primary schools
- a new primary school on land east of Biggleswade
- possible options for Wrestlingworth CofE VC Lower School and Dunton CofE VC Lower School, including amalgamation
- Edward Peake CofE VC Middle School and Stratton Upper to become secondary schools
- a new secondary school on land east of Biggleswade (this is a different site to the new primary on land east of Biggleswade). Edward Peake CofE VC Middle School would become a secondary school and relocate to this new school
- Lawnside Academy moves to the vacated Edward Peake CofE VC Middle School site
- there would be one sixth form open to pupils of both secondary schools (currently Stratton Upper and Edward Peake CofE VC Middle School)
Housing growth
Planning for new school places is linked to housing growth. Overall, in the town of Biggleswade alone, there are 987 new homes are expected by 2025 with 770 forecasted pupils across all year groups. Beyond 2031 there will be 3,057 new homes, with 2,384 forecasted pupils.
Most of this housing growth will be in the east with around 1,500 new homes planned and therefore a brand-new primary school with two classes in each year group is proposed to be built on land east of Biggleswade, funded through developer contributions.
Proposed locations
The yearly pupil place forecast is expected later in summer 2021, and this will be reviewed in parallel with the consultation. The following map indicates where, under these proposals, the schools in this area would be located:
Source: Google Maps
* Current locations of Wrestlingworth CofE VC Lower School and Dunton CofE VC Lower School
** The approximate proposed locations, subject to planning, of where the new secondary school (the relocated Edward Peake CofE VC Middle school) and the new primary school would be located on land east of Biggleswade.
Proposed primary school overview
The following table shows the schools that would convert to primary schools as part of this proposal, with their current capacity, how many pupils are currently on roll and what their capacity will be as a primary school:
| School name | Proposed school type | Proposed capacity as a primary | Current Pupil Admission No. (PAN) | Current school capacity | Pupils at the school (spring 2021) | Capacity against pupils at the school |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Biggleswade Academy* | Primary | 840 pupils | 90 Lower pupils 140 Middle pupils |
450 lower pupils 560 middle pupils |
922 pupils | 66 pupils below capacity |
| Caldecote CofE Academy | Primary | 168 pupils | 24 pupils | 120 pupils | 55 pupils | 65 pupils below capacity |
| Dunton CofE VC Lower School | Primary | To be informed by an options appraisal | 15 pupils | 75 pupils | 62 pupils | 13 pupils below capacity |
| Wrestlingworth CofE VC Lower School | Primary | To be informed by an options appraisal | 13 pupils | 65 pupils | 54 pupils | 11 pupils below capacity |
| Lawnside Academy | Primary | 420 pupils | 60 pupils | 300 pupils | 213 pupils | 87 pupils below capacity |
| Northill CofE VA Lower School | Primary | 105 pupils | 15 pupils | 75 pupils | 66 pupils | 9 pupils below capacity |
| Potton Lower School | Primary | 420 pupils | 60 pupils | 300 pupils | 268 pupils | 32 pupils below capacity |
| Potton Middle School | Primary | 90 pupils | 360 pupils | 184 pupils | 176 pupils below capacity | |
| St Andrew’s CofE VC Lower School – East ** | Primary | 420 pupils | 90 pupils | 450 pupils | 761 pupils | 139 pupils below capacity |
| St Andrew’s CofE VC Lower School – West** | Primary | 420 pupils | 90 pupils | 450 pupils | ||
| Sutton CofE VA Lower School | Primary | 105 pupils | 15 pupils | 75 pupils | 73 pupils | 2 pupils below capacity |
| New primary (land east of Biggleswade) | Primary | 420 pupils | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
*Biggleswade Academy increases from a school with three classes in each year group to a school with four+ classes in each year group.
**The St Andrew’s sites reduce from three classes in each year group to two classes in each year group each
The following map shows the proposed location of the schools in the area, as primary and secondary schools, and the classes in each year group that each school would have. (i.e., the number of classes each has in its first point of entry year group, which would be Reception/Year 1 for primary schools and Year 7 for secondary schools)
Transition to primary
The current earliest date for the proposed primary transition is 2024/25, except for Potton Middle School and Potton Lower School, which would amalgamate and become a primary in 2022/23.
Lower school pupils in Year 4 in 2023/24 would remain in their schools into Year 5 for 2024/25. This means that parents would not need to apply for the Year 5 place for 2024/25, as pupils would automatically remain at their lower school as it changes its age range, and they would remain there until they applied for a secondary school place. At that point, there would be no Year 5 intake to Biggleswade Academy (except in-year admissions) or Edward Peake CofE VC Middle School.
Potton Middle School
As pupils have increasingly accessed schools in neighbouring Sandy and Cambridgeshire in recent years, this has led to a significant decrease in pupil numbers in years 7 and 8, which impacts on the educational and financial viability of the school.
For example, the Pupil Admission Number (PAN) is 90 for each year and in 2020/21 there were 22 pupils enrolled in Year 7, but this will reduce to 4 pupils in 2021/22 and an estimated 5 pupils in 2022/23. And in Year 8, there will be 21 pupils in 2021/22, but this will reduce to an estimated 4 pupils in 2022/23.
As a result, the proposed amalgamation with the neighbouring Potton Lower School, to become Potton Primary, would need to happen from September 2022, ahead of the transition of other schools to primaries.
It is proposed that Potton Lower School and Potton Middle School amalgamate to create a primary with 2 classes in each year group as a first phase to address the urgent need to resolve the educational and financial viability of Potton Middle School.
Small rural lower schools
There are four small rural lower schools in the area with small class sizes in each year of approximately 15 places (pupil numbers based on spring 2021 census). These schools are:
Northill CofE VA Lower School
Northill CofE Voluntary Aided Lower School is located to the west of Biggleswade and on the western side of the A1 so draws on a different part of the population from the other three small rural lower schools which are all on the eastern side of the A1. Northill currently has 66 pupils with a capacity of 75. There is currently no significant housing growth planned for Northill. Central Bedfordshire Council will continue to monitor the scale of any developments in the parish. The school site is currently 6,115 sqm. Any proposals brought forward will reflect that the school site is held in trust for the provision of a Church of England School and this will be factored into future planning. From our initial review the school site could accommodate some expansion to become a primary school. Therefore, we propose this school transitions to a primary school offering 15 places in each year.
Sutton CofE VA Lower School
Sutton CofE Voluntary Aided Lower School is located between the towns of Biggleswade and Potton. The school currently has 73 pupils with a capacity of 75. There is some housing growth planned for the village of Sutton (34 homes on High Street). The school site is 5,237 sqm. Any proposals brought forward will reflect that the school site is held in trust for the provision of a Church of England School and this will be factored into future planning. From our initial review the school site could accommodate some expansion to become a primary school. The school already has planning permission to build an additional classroom. Therefore, we propose this school transitions to become a primary school offering 15 places each year.
Dunton CofE VC Lower School
This school is located east of Biggleswade. The school shares a head teacher and governing body with Wrestlingworth CofE VC Lower School.
The school currently has 62 pupils and a capacity of 75. There is some housing growth planned for the village (37 new homes nearby on Greenfield Way). The school site is 5,081sqm. Any proposals brought forward will reflect that the school site is held in trust for the provision of a Church of England School and this will be factored into future planning. Our initial review indicates there may be constraints to the expansion of the school on the current site which we need to explore further. Therefore, we are considering a number of options for the future of this school.
Wrestlingworth CofE VC Lower School
This school is located further east of Biggleswade than Dunton. The school shares a head teacher and governing body with Dunton CofE VC Lower School.
This school currently has 54 pupils and a capacity of 65. There is no housing growth planned for the village. The school site is 4,984sqm. Any proposals brought forward will reflect that the school site is held in trust for the provision of a Church of England School and this will be factored into future planning. Our initial review indicates there may be constraints to the expansion of the school on the current site which we need to explore further. Therefore, we are considering a number of options for the future of this school.
Demand for places at Dunton CofE VC Lower School and Wrestlingworth CofE VC Lower School
| School | Pupil Admission Number (PAN) for 2021 | Number of pupils admitted for 2021 | Current total pupil capacity | Pupils at the school in spring 2021 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dunton CofE VC Lower School | 15 | 14 | 75 | 62 |
| Wrestlingworth CofE VC Lower School | 13 | 12 | 65 | 54 |
The table above shows the current pupil numbers. A proposed new primary school is due to be built on land East of Biggleswade, which is likely to create additional places within the local area in the future to meet forecast needs.
The map below shows where the new primary school is likely to be, subject to planning, in relation to Dunton CofE VC Lower School and Wrestlingworth CofE VC Lower School, and also the proximity of Wrestlingworth CofE VC Lower School to Potton. The maximum likely distance from the two existing schools to the new primary site on land east of Biggleswade would be:
- Dunton CofE VC Lower School – 3.8 miles
- Wrestlingworth CofE VC Lower School – 6.1 miles (this school is also 3.5 miles from Potton)
Room to grow at Dunton CofE VC Lower School and Wrestlingworth CofE VC Lower School
A primary school would need to accommodate two more year groups than a lower school (Reception + Year 1 to Year
| Schools | Dunton CofE VC Lower School | Wrestlingworth CofE VC Lower School | National guidance of recommended size for a primary with one class of 15 places in each year group |
|---|---|---|---|
| Site size | 5,081 sqm | 4,984 sqm | 5,496 sqm |
Site size is one indication of a school’s room to grow against a national benchmark, so further work is required to test the options. Based on the evidence available at the moment a transition to a primary school may not be possible at Wrestlingworth CofE VC Lower School because the current site may be too small, and its playing field is not attached to the site. Initial analysis shows that this may not be possible at Dunton CofE VC Lower School because the site may be too small and there is no room to extend on the current site. This is unique within Biggleswade and the surrounding area because, while all lower schools proposed to transition to primary would require expansion, this can be accommodated within their existing schools’ boundaries. As part of the consultation process more detailed work will be undertaken at the schools to consider this issue further.
Options for change at Dunton CofE VC Lower School and Wrestlingworth CofE VC Lower School
There are three options being considered for the future of Dunton CofE VC Lower School and Wrestlingworth CofE VC Lower School. For each option, the schools’ leadership will not change, as they both share the same head teacher and governing body. The schools would also remain diocese schools. Central Bedfordshire Council has more detailed work to do to understand the feasibility of expansion on the current sites, but it is important to hear your views on the three different options being considered. The options are:
Option A: Wrestlingworth CofE VC Lower School and Dunton CofE VC Lower School each transitioning to primary on their current sites (with one class of 15 places in each year group per school)
Both Dunton CofE VC Lower School and Wrestlingworth CofE VC Lower School, each transition to be a primary school with one class of 15 places in each year group on their current sites. New land would need to be acquired to accommodate the extra year groups for a primary school.
Option B: Wrestlingworth CofE VC Lower School and Dunton CofE VC Lower School to amalgamate as a primary school with 30 places in each year group on the Dunton CofE VC Lower School site
Dunton CofE VC Lower School may require additional land to be acquired to accommodate the extra year groups for a primary school.
Option C: Wrestlingworth CofE VC Lower School and Dunton CofE VC Lower School to amalgamate and relocate as a new primary with two classes of 60 places in each year group in a brand-new school on land east of Biggleswade
The new primary would be located on land provided to Central Bedfordshire Council by the housing developer.
Lawnside Academy
Lawnside Academy would move 0.7 miles into the current Edward Peake CofE VC Middle School site. This would follow the relocation of Edward Peake CofE VC Middle School to the new secondary site on land east of Biggleswade (see secondary school proposal section from page 14).
The Edward Peake CofE VC Middle School site would provide space and facilities not available on the Lawnside Academy site. No decision has been made on the future use of the existing Lawnside Academy site once it is vacated. This will not be determined during this consultation.
Special Educational Needs and Disabilities
The Schools for the Future programme is currently consulting on the educational support and provision for children and young people identified with special educational needs or disability (SEND) across Central Bedfordshire. Within Biggleswade, this includes the future provision at Ivel Valley Special School. The outcome of that consultation will be considered alongside the outcome of this consultation for mainstream schools in the Biggleswade area.
Proposed Secondary School Overview
The following table shows the schools that would convert to secondary schools as part of this proposal, with their current capacity, how many pupils are currently on roll and what their capacity will be as a secondary school:
| School name | Proposed school type | Proposed secondary capacity | Current Pupil Admission No. (PAN) | Current school capacity | Pupils at the school (spring 2021) | Capacity against pupils at the school |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Edward Peake CofE VC Middle School | Secondary | 900 pupils | 210 pupils | 840 pupils | 546 pupils | 294 pupils below cap. |
| Stratton Upper (Yr9-11 only) * | Secondary | 1,200 pupils | 330 pupils | 990 pupils | 682 pupils | 308 pupils below cap. |
*Stratton Upper figures in the above table exclude the current sixth form pupil numbers, which is 187.
Transition to Secondary
The current proposed earliest date for secondary transition is 2024/25. Under this model, pupils due to be in Years 7 and 8 at Biggleswade Academy in September 2024 would need to apply for a place at a secondary school. Within the area, this will be either Edward Peake CofE VC Middle School (subject to availability) or Stratton Upper. There would be no Year 5 intake to Edward Peake CofE VC Middle School or Biggleswade Academy in 2024/25 as the lower schools would remain at their lower school.
Stratton Upper School
Stratton Upper School would transition to a secondary school with eight classes in each year group, with scope to grow in line with anticipated growth.
Edward Peake CofE VC Middle School
Edward Peake CofE VC Middle School would transition to a secondary school with six classes in each year group, which would increase to eight classes in each year group, in line with anticipated pupil growth.
The school would relocate to a new secondary school site on Central Bedfordshire Council-owned land to the east of Biggleswade. This will be subject to a feasibility study and planning. The construction of the school will be part-funded through the Housing Infrastructure Fund (outlined on page 4).
Sixth Form Proposal
To provide the greatest curriculum choice and financial sustainability, there would be one sixth form in the area, open to pupils of both the existing Stratton Upper School and Edward Peake CofE VC Middle School. This proposal is supported by the schools.
The current sixth form attached to Stratton Upper has 187 students. The proposed new sixth form would have a proposed capacity of 420 students.
Leaders at Edward Peake CofE VC Middle School and Stratton Upper School are working together in reviewing options to provide the best collaborative town-wide post-16 provision.
Managing Changes
Maintaining the quality of education provided to our children through the process of change is an absolute priority for all the schools in the area and for Central Bedfordshire Council.
Should the above plan be approved, these organizations will work together to make sure that disruption is minimized and that both pupils and school staff are well supported through the process of change.
FAQs
What are the transition arrangements for my child?
In many cases, you may not need to do anything. The creation of primary schools in the Biggleswade area will provide the opportunity for your child to remain at a viable school until they transfer to their chosen secondary school, rather than transferring to a middle school for Year 5 and then again to an upper school for Year 9.
Any changes will take place on a scheduled date, to provide enough notice for you to plan and choose the school that is right for you.
What are the possible pathways for my child?
The current three-tier structure of schools in the Biggleswade area.
The current three-tier structure of schools in the Biggleswade area is made up of:
Lower schools:
- Caldecote Academy
- Biggleswade Academy
- Dunton Lower School
- Lawnside Academy
- Northill Academy
- St Andrew’s (East site and West site)
- Sutton Lower School
- Wrestlingworth Lower School
These schools take pupils from Reception year to Year 4.
Middle schools:
- Biggleswade Academy
- Edward Peake Middle School
These schools take pupils from Year 5 to Year 8.
Upper schools:
- Stratton Upper School
These schools take pupils from Year 9 to Year 11.
Year 1 of schools’ transition to the two-tier model of education – 2024/25
