Schools - public notices - Statutory Notice for the changes to schools within the Cranfield cluster as part of the Schools for the Future (SFF) Programme for 1st September 2025 and including the proposed closure of Shelton Lower school from 31st August 2025

Start date

Friday 12 May 2023

End date

Friday 16 June 2023

Information

Description of prescribed alterations

Background to the proposed changes of age range, expansions and closure of schools

Background to the proposed changes of age range, expansions and closure of schools

Central Bedfordshire Council (CBC) proposes to change the educational landscape for schools within the Cranfield area of Central Bedfordshire to move from a lower/middle/upper model towards a primary/secondary model of schooling for 1 September 2025.

The Cranfield cluster is being taken forward as part of the Schools for the Future (SFF) Programme as an area of projected growth, where there is a need to consider not only the current educational landscape, but the future needs of the area (Schools for the Future). The Cranfield cluster has been considered alongside similar proposals in Bedford Borough Council (BBC), where there are pupil movements between the two Local Authority areas.

The proposal to move all schools within the Cranfield cluster into a two-tier model of education will help with improving education attainment and retaining the best teachers. The proposal will provide a clearer pathway for parents and reducing the number of transitions between schools therefore enabling children and young people the best chance of getting the most out of their education.

In order to transition the cluster into a two-tier model of schooling the Department for Education requires the Council to publish a proposal to change the age range and to make a prescribed alterations as set out in the guidance (Making significant changes (‘prescribed alterations’) to maintained schools). Therefore, a change of age range and expansion to Marston Moreteyne Lower School (Church End and Forest End), Thomas Johnson Lower School, Houghton Conquest Lower School and the proposed closure of Shelton Lower school as set out in the guidance Opening and closing maintained schools (publishing.service.gov.uk) have been explained in the table below.

Following a viability review, all existing lower schools in the cluster can transition to become primary on their existing sites, with some proposed changes to their Published Admission Number (PAN) to allow for a better organisation model and reduce the need for mixed age classes in schools. These changes will enable the Council to cater for local demand and allow the opportunity for more children to attend a local school.

Central Bedfordshire Council no longer make initial proposals for changes to academies, and similarly for BBC schools. Schools within the Cranfield Cluster that hold an academy status, such as Cranfield CofE Academy (St Peters and St Pauls site) and Holywell CofE academy, proposal will be considered in parallel by the Regional Director. However, the proposals for Academies and BBC schools are included in this notice for information to see the overall plan for the cluster.

Summary of proposals

Summary
School Current size Current age range Proposed size Proposed age range
Marston Moreteyne VC School (Church End) 2FE 60 PAN Lower (300 places) YR to Y4 (age 2 to 9) with pre-school

2FE 60 PAN Primary (420 places)

YR to Y6 (age 2 to 11) with pre-school
Marston Moreteyne VC School (Forest End) 2FE 60 PAN Lower (300 places) YR to Y4 (age 2 to 9) with pre-school

2FE 60 PAN Primary (420 places)

YR to Y6 (age 2 to 11) with pre-school
Shelton Lower 1FE 15 PAN Lower (75 places) * YR to Y4 (age 4 to 9) Proposed closure Proposed closure
Thomas Johnson Lower 0.6FE 18 PAN Lower (90 places) YR to Y4 (age 3 to 9) with pre-school 1FE PAN 30 Primary (210 places) YR to Y6 (age 3 to 11) with pre-school
Houghton Conquest Lower 0.8FE 20 PAN Lower (100 places) YR to Y4 (age 2 to 9) with pre-school 1FE 30 PAN Primary (210 places) YR to YR6 (age 2 to 11) with pre-school

The following schools are academies and the proposal will be considered in parallel by the Regional Director. However, the proposals are included in this notice for information.

* However, the school currently has no pupils on roll.

Summary
School Current size Current age range Proposed size Proposed age range
Holywell CofE Academy School 6FE 180 PAN Middle (720 places) Y5 to Y8 (age 9 to 13) 6FE 180 PAN Secondary (900 places) Y7 to Y11 (age 11 to 16)

Cranfield Academy CofE Academy (St. Peter's site)

Cranfield CofE Academy (St. Paul's site)

2FE 60 PAN Lower school (300 places)

1 FE 30 PAN Lower School (150 places)

YR to Y4 (age 2 to 9) with pre-school

YR to Y4 (age 2 to 9) with pre-school

1FE 30 PAN primary school (210 places)

2FE 60 PAN primary school (420 places)

YR to Y6 (age 2 to 11)

YR to Y6 (age 2 to 11)

Information on the individual proposals of changes to all schools and the proposed closure of Shelton Lower School

Maintained Schools

Marston Moreteyne (Church End) and (Forest End) is a Voluntary Controlled Lower School across two separate sites. Each site comprises of a 2FE Lower providing a combined PAN 120 (600 places), plus an early years/pre-school setting offering 44 places for children aged from 2 years. It is proposed that this will change to a combined 4FE Primary with a PAN of 120 (840 places) with a change in the age range from age 2-9, to 2-11.

Houghton Conquest Lower School is currently a 0.8FE (100 places) lower school with an early years/pre-school setting offering children from the age of 2 years. The proposal is to transition to a 1FE primary school (210 places), with a change in age range from age 2-9, to 2-11.

Thomas Johnson is currently a 0.6FE Lower PAN of 18 (90 places), plus an early years/pre-school setting offering children from the age range of 3 years. The proposal is to transition to a 1FE Primary with a PAN of 30 (210 places) with a change in age range from age 3-9, to 3-11.

Shelton is a 1FE Lower PAN of 15 (75 places) currently without pupils. Read full details of Shelton Lower.

Academy proposals (these are linked to the wider cluster model, but have a separate decision making process)

Cranfield Academy (St Paul's) is a 1FE Lower with a PAN of 30 (150 places) plus an early years/pre-school setting offering 44 places to children from age 2 years. The proposed change is to a 2FE primary 60 PAN 420 places, with a change in age range from age 2-9, to 2-11.

Cranfield Academy (St Peter's) is a 2FE Lower with a PAN of 60 (300 places) plus an early years/pre-school setting offering 44 places to children from age 2years. The proposed change is to a 1FE 30 PAN 210 place primary with a change in age range from age 2-9, to 2-11.

Holywell is currently a 6FE PAN 180 (720 places) middle school with a proposal to change to 6FE 180 PAN 900 place secondary school on its existing site with a change in age range from age 8-13, to 11-16.

The key factors in relation to the proposal to close Shelton Lower School:

As well as the proposed changes to schools in the Cranfield area, the proposed closure of a school is subject to different regulations and this section sets out the relevant information in relation to the proposed closure of Shelton Lower School.

The Department for Education (DfE) expects all decision makers to adopt a presumption against the closure of rural schools. This does not mean that a rural school will never close, but that the case for closure should be strong and clearly in the best interests of educational provision in the area. In accordance with section 15 (4) of the Education and Inspection Act 2006 and the DfE statutory guidance titled: Opening and closing maintained schools (publishing.service.gov.uk) the Council (as proposer) has given full consideration to a number of Key Factors. In formulating any closure proposals under this section in relation to a rural primary school, proposers must have regard to:

  • the likely effect of the discontinuance of the school on the local community
  • the availability, and likely cost to the local authority, of transport to other school
  • any increase in the use of motor vehicles which is likely to result from the discontinuance of the school, and the likely effects of any such increase
  • any alternatives to the discontinuance of the school

For all rural closures, in addition to the above, the proposer should also provide evidence to show they have carefully considered alternatives to closure including:

  • conversion to academy status and joining a multi-academy trust
  • federation with another local school
  • the scope for an extended school to provide local community services and facilities (e.g. childcare facilities, family and adult learning, healthcare, community internet access)
  • the availability, and likely cost to parents, of transport to other schools
  • whether the proposal will result in unreasonably long journey times
  • the size of the school and whether it puts the children at an educational disadvantage e.g. in terms of breadth of curriculum or resources available
  • the proportion of pupils attending the school from within the local community e.g. whether the school is being used by the local community
  • the overall and long term impact on local people and the community of the closure of the school and of the loss of the building as a community facility
  • educational standards at the school and the likely effect on standards at neighbouring schools
  • whether the school is now surplus to requirements (e.g. because there are surplus places elsewhere in the local area which can accommodate displaced pupils, and there is no predicted demand for the school in the medium or long term)
  • wider school organisation and capacity of good schools in the area to accommodate displaced pupils

Shelton Lower is currently without pupils, this has been the case for the last two academic years, and it is considered by officers that the closure of Shelton Lower would not have a detrimental effect on the variety of services currently available to children. It is also considered that the proposal would not have the effect of unreasonably extending, existing journey times or increasing transport costs, resulting in too many children being prevented from sustainable travel.

A number of alternative options have been considered for Shelton Lower, such as expansions, federations and multi academy trusts. The expansion of the Jigsaw Alternative Provision, that work with schools to prevent exclusion and to help with pupils return to school following exclusion, are operating from the temporary accommodation on the Shelton Lower School site.

The key factors have been fully considered by officers and a response provided in the delegated decision to commence the statutory consultation. The Key Factors document is available as Appendix D (starting on page 53) via this link Full meeting pack - SFF Cranfield Cluster.PDF (azeusconvene.com). This is seen as a working document that will be informed and updated by the statutory consultation, so that future decision makers have awareness of the full impact relating to this proposed school closure.

Evidence of demand for proposed changes

Central Bedfordshire Council has a statutory duty to ensure there are sufficient school places for children living in Central Bedfordshire. As part of this duty an annual pupil forecast is produced and published, forecasting how many school places will be required over the next five years.

According to the Local Plan (now adopted), Central Bedfordshire is an area that will grow - with up to 39,350 new homes expected by 2035. The expected growth has significant implications regarding pupil place planning as the Council has a statutory duty to ensure that there are sufficient school places 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 the Local Plan. A strategic and coordinated approach is required to ensure change is planned and managed effectively.

Schools for the Future

We want to develop a coherent and transparent plan for our future educational landscape that is shaped by all our schools, mapping out where existing schools can expand, what additional schools we will require and the structure our schools will take over the next 15 – 20 years. This plan will help to ensure we achieve the best educational outcomes possible for our children making best use of public money.

The right schools, in the right places, delivering the best education.

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
  • feliver best value – to ensure viability
  • facilitate more school-based SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disability) provision

Historically, Central Bedfordshire Council has offered a three-tier system comprising lower, middle, and upper schools.  The national education model is established to support two tier education, and with the process of academisation, schools have had more independence to change the age range they cater for. This has resulted in a mixed landscape of schools that now also includes primary and secondary schools as well as some hybrid models e.g. extended secondary schools.

This can be confusing for parents and where changes occur to the age ranges of schools without coordination, there can be a negative impact on the viability of other schools in the area. This is particularly relevant for the Cranfield cluster which borders another local authority which largely operates under the two-tier education system.

The Schools for the Future programme was considered by the Council’s Executive on 7 August 2018 and a decision was taken 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; and
  • change supports improvements in educational outcomes

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

A move to a primary/secondary model of education within Cranfield will begin to align Central Bedfordshire Council with the rest of the country and help improve educational attainment at all schools, 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 (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 Council’s expected housing trajectory.

Results of preliminary consultation

A consultation was launched by Central Bedfordshire Council on 31 October 2022 which invited stakeholders to ‘have your say’ regarding the proposals to transition the Cranfield cluster of schools from three-tier (lower/middle/upper) to two-tier (primary/secondary) and considering the educational pathway for children and young people through the transition. 

In Summary, the consultation broadly considered:

  • 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 6 weeks and closed on 12 December 2022.

 A total of 253 responses were received to the consultation and of these:

  • 98% agreed that it was either important or very important for schools and the Council to develop a long-term plan for school places
  • 63% agreed with the move to a two-tier model of education
  • and 91% agreed that it was either important or very important that schools in the area work together to coordinate change

Please see the full Meeting Pack, information surrounding Cranfield Cluster, which is on page 40.

There is majority support for the proposed move to two-tier schooling (63% support). Initial comments identified the need to keep education in the community and retain village schools, as well as the need to focus on the child and their education.

Support across the proposals for the individual schools was particularly varied. The schools which were most supported for their proposals were, Marston Moreteyne Voluntary Controlled (Forest End and Church End), Cranfield Academy (St Paul’s), Cranfield Academy (St Peter’s), Houghton Conquest Lower School, Thomas Johnson Lower School and Holywell Middle School, all of which received 50%+ support.

The full report detailing the results of the consultation for the Cranfield 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 best value – to ensure viability
  • facilitate more school-based SEND (Special Educational Needs) provision.

The transition from the current three-tier model of education to the future two-tier model of education with all schools becoming primary and secondary schools to enabling children and young people the best chance of getting the most out of their education.

To retain all schools within the cluster on their current sites, supporting the expansion with the transition to primary and secondary schools.

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 the Council’s 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 Cranfield cluster have been developed collaboratively with the schools and academies in the area. Therefore, whilst some effect on other educational institutions might be unknown at this stage, there has been close partnership working to eliminate any potential negative effect from these proposed changes.

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

The Schools for the Future Programme in Cranfield could be 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 Council owned assets
  • the Council’s own resources from additional borrowing

The day to day running costs of school provision for maintained schools are met through revenue funding, which is made available to each school, from the Council, 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 Cranfield area to model future school place requirements, in line with the expected housing trajectory, the Council is ensuring that the changes proposed will deliver long-term value for money.

Implementation plans

It is proposed that the following step changes will be applied:

  • all lower schools will retain children into Y5 from 1 September 2025 and Y6 from 1 September 2026
  • Marston Moreteyne (church End) and (Forest End) to become a Primary - transition to a two-tier model with a change in age range from age 2 - 9 to 2-11
  • Thomas Johnson Lower to become a Primary - transition to a two-tier model with a change in age range from age 3 - 9 to 3-11
  • Houghton Conquest to become a Primary - transition to a two-tier model with a change in age range from age 2 - 9 to 2-11
  • Shelton Lower School proposed closure from 31 August 2025 and alternative use for the site and buildings identified 

Academy proposal will be considered in parallel by the Regional Director.

  • Holywell CofE Academy School to become a secondary - transition to a two-tier model with a change in age range from age 9-13 to 11-16. There would be no Y5 intake for September 2025, but Holywell will retain children in Y9. Holywell will then retain children in Y10 from 1 September 2026 and Y11 from 1 September 2027

Cranfield CofE Academy (St Peters site and St Paul’s site) becoming a primary - transition to a two-tier model with a change in age range from age 2 - 9 to 2-11. Cranfield Academy will retain children into Y5 from 1 September 2025 and Y6 from 1 September 2026

1 September 2026 all Lower Schools have become primary schools and 1 September 2027 all schools transitioned.

Statutory notice

Notice is hereby given for related proposals in accordance with

  • and section 19 (1) of the Education and Inspections Act 2006 and the Schools Organisation (Prescribed Alterations to Maintained Schools) (England) Regulations 2013 and the statutory guidance for proposers and decision makers ‘Making significant changes (‘prescribed alterations’) to maintained schools, January 2023,
  • and section 15 (1) of the Education and Inspections Act 2006 and The School Organisation (Establishment and Discontinuance of Schools, England) Regulations 2013 and the statutory guidance for proposers and decision makers ‘Opening and closing maintained schools’, January 2023,

that Central Bedfordshire Council, Priory House, Monks Walk, Chicksands, Shefford, Bedfordshire SG17 5TQ intends to make a significant change (prescribed alteration) to schools within the Cranfield area from 1 September 2025 as well as the Establishment and Discontinuance of schools (opening and closing Maintained Schools) for the proposed closure of Shelton Lower School with effect from 31 August 2025.

This statutory consultation invites interested parties to respond to the proposed prescribed alterations of the maintained schools within the Cranfield cluster schools.

The statutory consultation period commences on the date of the Notice – 12 May 2023 and ends on 16 June 2023

You can respond to this statutory consultation, expressing your support, objections and providing any comments, via the online form. Comments to be submitted by 16 June 2023.

Notice date: 12 May 2023

This Notice is in relation to prescribed alterations of the maintained schools within the Cranfield Cluster of schools, the changes also include the proposed closure of Shelton Lower School.

Maintained schools covered by this notice

Marston Moreteyne VC-Voluntary Controlled School (Church End)
Church Walk
Marston Moreteyne
Bedfordshire
MK43 0NE

Marston Moreteyne VC-Voluntary Controlled School (Forest End)
Great Linns
Marston Moreteyne
Bedfordshire
MK43 0DD

Shelton Lower School (Foundation School)
Lower Shelton Road
Marston Moreteyne
Bedford
Bedfordshire
MK43 0LS

Thomas Johnson Lower School (Community School)
Hurst Grove
Lidlington
Bedford
Bedfordshire
MK43 0SB

Houghton Conquest Lower School (Community School)
High Street
Houghton Conquest
Bedfordshire
MK45 3LL

Proposer

Children’s Services
Central Bedfordshire Council
Priory House
Chicksands
Shefford
Bedfordshire
SG17 5TQ

View or download the statutory notice

If you would like to speak with our officers about the proposals, we are holding some online webinars and in-person question-and-answer sessions during the statutory consultation. Find out more about these sessions.