Schools - public notices - Proposal to make a significant changes to schools in Potton

We propose to change the educational landscape for schools within the Biggleswade area of Central Bedfordshire in response to the anticipated growth in pupil numbers in the area and the move towards a primary/secondary model of schooling.

Uncoordinated change of nearby schools in other clusters that have already altered their age range has resulted in reduced pupil numbers being experienced at Potton Middle School in years 7 and 8.

The proposal is to amalgamate Potton Lower and Potton Middle Schools to create a 2-form entry (a school accepting up to 60 pupils each year group) Primary school with effect from 1 September 2023.

In order to action the amalgamation of two maintained schools, the Department for Education requires us to publish a proposal to close one school and to make a prescribed alteration, ie a change of age range, to the other school.

Feasibility studies have been carried out to consider the viability of both schools to provide sufficient accommodation for a 2FE primary school. These studies revealed that neither school could meet this requirement; the lower school site would require building work to provide the additional accommodation required and the middle school would require alterations to provide age-appropriate facilities for younger children.

The most effective solution, with minimal disruption to pupil education, is the retention of both school buildings in order to provide the accommodation required for a primary school.

Further work is progressing to review the site and whether there is a potential for an application to the Secretary of State for the release of excess playing fields.

Evidence of demand for proposed changes

We have a statutory duty to ensure there are sufficient school places for children. As part of this duty, we publish pupil forecasts each year, to enable us to forecast how many school places will be needed over the next 5 years.

According to our Local Plan (now adopted), Central Bedfordshire is an area that will grow – with up to 43,000 new homes expected by 2035. The expected growth has significant implications regarding pupil place planning for children living in Central Bedfordshire. Current forecasts suggest there will be an additional 24,672 pupils by 2035. 

Schools for the Future is an ambitious programme of work taking place to raise educational standards through the provision of places required across Central Bedfordshire in line with our Local Plan. Part of this is the move to the two-tier model of education. A strategic and coordinated approach is required to ensure change is planned and managed effectively.

The objectives of the programme are to:

• improve educational outcomes at all key stages
• ensure sufficient places (appropriately located) to best meet demand from housing growth
• shape the future educational landscape – to provide clear educational pathways and reduce the number of transitions
• deliver the best value – to ensure the viability 
• facilitate more school-based SEND (special educational needs and disability) provision, early years provision on school sites and school-based sixth form provision. 

Historically, Central Bedfordshire has offered a three-tier system comprising lower, middle and upper schools. Following the introduction of academisation, 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 parents and 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.

The Schools for the Future programme was considered by the Council’s Executive on 7 August 2018 and a decision was taken to –

To support schools and clusters that want to work towards a primary and secondary model, considering that: 

• the appropriate resources are in place to do so
• change is coordinated
• change supports improvements in educational outcomes

To actively promote that any new schools to be built will be primary or secondary.

This decision will align Central Bedfordshire with the rest of the country and help improve educational attainment, recruitment and retention of the teaching workforce, school viability and provide a clearer pathway for parents.

Schools in Central Bedfordshire meet in a number of local clusters (9 in total) to consider how they can work together to provide the best education for children. These local clusters in the main mirror our local planning areas. As part of the Schools for the Future programme, officers have been working with clusters to model future school place requirements in each of these areas, in line with our expected housing trajectory.

Potton Middle and Potton Lower Schools are part of the Biggleswade cluster of schools. The rationale for the earlier change at the two Potton schools, ahead of the other schools within this cluster, is in direct response to the uncoordinated change of nearby schools in other clusters who have already altered their age range, which has resulted in reduced pupil numbers being experienced 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.

Results of preliminary consultation

We launched a consultation on 23 June 2021 and invited stakeholders to have their say regarding the proposals to transition the Biggleswade cluster of schools from three-tier (lower/middle/upper) to two-tier (primary/secondary) taking into account the wider Housing Infrastructure Fund (HIF) Programme delivering change in Biggleswade and considering the educational pathway for children and young people through the transition.  
In Summary, the consultation broadly considered:

• Potton lower and middle amalgamation to become Potton Primary School
• delivery of a new secondary school (HiF)
• primary and secondary transition for all other schools

The consultation was publicised to staff, governors, parents, all schools and academies in Central Bedfordshire and the wider community. It ran for 14 weeks and closed on 28 September 2021.

A total of 353 responses were received to the consultation and of these:

• 96% agreed that it was either important or very important for schools and us to develop a long-term plan for school places
• 58% agreed with the move to a two-tier model of education
• 87% agreed that it was either important or very important that schools in the area work together to coordinate change

Responses to the proposed amalgamation of Potton Lower School and Potton Middle School were split evenly, with 41% supporting the proposal and 41% against it. A number of respondents also questioned the difference in timing for the proposed amalgamation of the two Potton schools from the proposed changes to the other schools within the cluster.

The full report detailing the results of the consultation for the Biggleswade Cluster is available on the Schools for the Future website.

Objectives – including how the proposal would increase educational standards and parental choice

The objectives of the Schools for the Future programme are to:

• improve educational outcomes at all key stages 
• ensure sufficient places (appropriately located) to best meet demand from housing growth 
• shape the future educational landscape – to provide clear educational pathways and reduce the number of transitions
• deliver the best value – to ensure the viability 
• facilitate more school-based SEND provision, early years provision on school sites and school-based sixth form provision

The creation of a primary school in Potton would give parents the opportunity for their children to remain at a viable school until they transfer to their chosen secondary school, rather than transfer from Potton Middle School after year 6 which many are choosing to do now. 

The retention of both school buildings in order to provide the accommodation required for a primary school will ensure that educational standards are maintained.

The effect on other educational institutions within the area

Schools and academies in Central Bedfordshire meet in a number of local clusters (8 in total) to consider how they can work together to provide the best education for children. These local clusters in the main mirror our local planning areas. 

As part of the Schools for the Future programme, officers have been working with clusters to model future school place requirements in each of these areas, in line with the expected housing trajectory.

The proposals within the Schools for the Future programme for the Biggleswade cluster have been developed collaboratively with the schools and academies in the area.

The uncoordinated change of nearby schools in other clusters that have already altered their age range has resulted in reduced pupil numbers being experienced at Potton Middle School in years 7 and 8.

Project costs and how these would be met, including how long-term value for money will be achieved

The Schools for the Future Programme is funded by a combination of:

• developer contributions secured via Section 106 agreements
• Basic Need Grant from the Department for Education
• capital receipts from the disposal of our owned assets
• our own resources from additional borrowing

The day to day running cost of school provision for maintained schools is met through revenue funding which is made available to each school, from us, as part of the Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) and is based primarily on the numbers of pupils attending each school. This increases accordingly within an enlarged school and would fund the additional staff and resources that would be required. 

By working with the cluster of schools and academies within the Biggleswade area to model future school place requirements, in line with the expected housing trajectory, we are ensuring that the changes proposed will deliver long-term value for money.

Implementation plan

The proposal is to action the closure of Potton Middle School with effect from August 2023 and to action the change of age range for Potton Lower School with effect from September 2023.

View or download the statutory notice (PDF)

This statutory consultation for the proposed change of age range for Potton Lower School and the proposed closure of Potton Middle School commences on 4 March 2022 and closes on 8 April 2022.

The deadline for responses is 8 April 2022.

Have your say on the proposed changes

Following the close of the consultation, our Executive committee will be asked to consider the responses received and determine the proposals for the two schools.