New changes proposed for Shefford and Stotfold schools
Date Added: 03/05/2022
A revised Schools for the Future proposal for a two-tier education model in Shefford and Stotfold has been published ahead of being considered by Central Bedfordshire Councillors later in the year.
The adoption of the Council’s Local Plan last summer meant that school places at 16 schools in the area were revised against growth, revealing that the previous proposals would provide more places than would be needed up to 2030.
A new, revised primary / secondary proposal has therefore been developed with schools and trusts, which is subject to feasibility studies for the school sites confirming they are suitable for development.
The transition to this model is now aimed to take place in 2025, with Central Bedfordshire Council keen for all schools to transition at the same time to ensure a smooth process.
The proposals are that:
• Robert Bloomfield Academy will change from a middle to a secondary school with 5 forms of entry, which means 5 classes of up to 30 pupils (a total Pupil Admission Number of 150 pupils) in each year group
• Etonbury and Pix Brook Academies will continue as secondary schools with 6 forms of entry, which means 6 classes of up to 30 pupils (a total Pupil Admission Number of 180 pupils) in each year group
• Samuel Whitbread Academy will change from an upper to a secondary school with 7 forms of entry, which means 7 classes of up to 30 pupils (a total Pupil Admission Number of 210 pupils) in each year group
• As before, subject to feasibility studies, all lower schools to become primary schools.
Should there be any major problems in the construction process, which can sometimes happen, and if it can be foreseen that September 2025 is not achievable then this transition date will push back to September 2026.
It is expected that the revised proposals will be considered by Central Bedfordshire Council’s Executive Committee in the autumn of 2022, with any required public consultations following shortly after. All the latest information is available online at the Schools for the Future website.