Consultation closes: Monday 30 November 2026
Consultation opened: Monday 19 October 2026
Silsoe CofE VC Lower School
Silsoe CofE VC Lower School is currently a two-form entry school with capacity for 60 pupils in each year, and therefore operates 2 classes per year group.
Recent pupil numbers and forecasts indicate that demand for places is lower than the current admission number.
We propose reducing the number of reception places from 60 to 30 places from September 2028.
Rationale for the change
Current reception numbers are significantly below the school's admission number. As class sizes in years reception, 1 and 2 above 30 pupils require 2 classes, lower pupil numbers can place additional financial pressures on the school.
Forecasts indicate that future demand is likely to be more consistent with a one-form entry school. There is also a surplus of school places in the area nearby. Reducing the admission number would help the school align staffing, class organisation and financial planning with expected pupil numbers while continuing to meet local demand.
The headteacher and governing body are in support of this proposal.
Should demand increase in future years, the admission number can be reviewed and increased if necessary. An increase to the admission number does not require consultation.
Houghton Regis Primary School, Thornhill Primary School and Tithe Farm Primary School, Houghton Regis
We are proposing changes to the admission arrangements for Houghton Regis Primary School, Thornhill Primary School and Tithe Farm Primary School, which we are is the admissions authority for. These schools currently operate catchment areas which give priority to children living within defined geographical boundaries.
There are 6 primary schools in total in Houghton Regis. The other three are Lime Tree Primary Academy (Tennyson Learning Community Trust), Thomas Whitehead CofE Academy (Diocese of St Albans MAT) and St Vincent’s Catholic Primary School (St Thomas Catholic Academies Trust).
Academies are independent of us and will either be part of a multi-academy trust or a single academy. This means that their admissions authority is responsible for setting their admission arrangements and consulting on these if changes are proposed.
All 6 primary schools have been approached about proposed admission changes. Currently, 5 of the 6 schools prioritise children living within defined catchment areas. Lime Tree Primary Academy may consult separately on changes to its own arrangements, while Thomas Whitehead CofE Academy and St Vincent’s Catholic Primary School primarily use faith-based criteria or church parish boundaries for admissions.
We are proposing to remove the catchment area for Houghton Regis Primary, Thornhill Primary and Tithe Farm Primary schools and instead give priority to children who live closest to the school, measured in a straight line.
Map of the primary school catchment areas
Proposed oversubscription criteria
The proposed oversubscription criteria would be:
- All looked after and previously looked after children
- Children of staff
- Children with a sibling at the school
- Children living closest to the school, measured by straight-line distance