In September 2024, the following changes took place:
- Biggleswade Academy lower and middle schools merged to become a primary school
- Caldecote Academy (Lower) became a primary school
- Dunton Lower School became an infant/junior with Wrestlingworth Lower School
- Edward Peake Middle School became a secondary school
- Lawnside Academy (Lower) became a primary school
- Northill CofE Academy (Lower) became a primary school
- St Andrew’s (East) Lower School became a primary school
- St Andrew’s (West) Lower School became a primary school
- Stratton Upper became a secondary school
- Sutton Lower School became a primary school
- Wrestlingworth Lower School became an infant/junior with Dunton Lower School
Across this Biggleswade cluster of schools, we are investing £32 million to ensure this cluster not only changed to become two-tier, but so that most schools have additional, improved, modern spaces to help inspire children to get the most out of their education.
The two-tier change will make an incredible difference to the education system in this area, by reducing the number of transitions between schools, which can be disruptive to children’s education, from two to one.
In the Biggleswade area, to support schools after their change from the three-tier model of education (lower, middle and upper schools) to the two-tier model (primary and secondary schools), which took place in September 2024, the following construction works are also planned.
Scroll down or click on the link below to view information about each school.
- Biggleswade Academy
- Caldecote Academy
- Edward Peake
- Lawnside Academy
- Northill Academy
- St Andrew’s (West) Lower School
- St Andrew’s (East) Lower School
- Stratton School
- Sutton Primary School
- Wrestlingworth Infant School
- Dunton Primary School
Biggleswade Academy
At Biggleswade Academy, extensive remodelling of teaching spaces was carreid out to make sure classrooms meet the latest standards for effective learning, and to make sure areas like toilets and changing rooms are age appropriate.
Some light works are continuing, but arrangements have been put in place with the school to make sure teaching won’t be affected. In addition, the Japan block is also being remodelled and will be completed in the new year, providing more modern teaching spaces.
Caldecote Academy
At Caldecote Academy, classrooms were remodelled to make sure they all meet the latest teaching standards. A new space has also been created for practical lessons such as cooking, art and technology, as well as a new classroom for pupils with special educational needs, and a new canteen.
The outdoor space was improved too, with a new canopy allowing for outdoor learning, plus the playing field was made larger with space for an under-9s football pitch.
Edward Peake School
At Edward Peake, internal remodelling to some of the existing classrooms ensured that they are set up to deliver the art and design technology curriculum.
The remaining work is planned to finish through next year, with completion in 2025
To transform the school from a middle school to a secondary school, a new sports hall will be built by August 2025 to replace the old facility. This will mean space for a three-badminton court hall with full basketball court and cricket nets. It has also got an upper level for things like dance, aerobics, yoga. And, ready for the new year will be a new MUGA (multi-use games area) which will have a full-size football pitch with floodlighting.
Internal remodelling and refurbishment of the existing sports hall will be carried out between April 2025 and October 2025 and will create six classrooms, for improved art and design-technology provision, plus a computer suite. Also, internal remodelling will create an enlarged English classroom and a smaller hall, that is larger than the existing one, which will be multi-use so that pupils can use it for breakout groups, lunch, studying, presentation space and smaller assemblies. Completion of the small hall will follow the works to convert the existing sports hall in late 2025.
Though these works will need to be carried out while pupils are in school, we will ensure pupils’ education takes priority and that construction takes place with minimal disruption.
Lawnside Academy
At Lawnside Academy, four temporary classrooms were installed, designed to meet the latest space and comfort standards to give the best possible teaching spaces.
We held an open evening in April about a further planning application that has been made for a brand-new six classroom block. Also planned is an expansion of the hard playground space to build a MUGA (multi-use games area), marked with a small football pitch, tennis court and netball court. These projects are expected to be completed next summer.
Northill CofE Academy
Over the summer holiday period improvements were made to existing teaching areas, and new ones were created as well as a quiet room / reflection area for pupils.
At Northill CofE Academy, a larger, newly built hall is planned, which can be used for PE lessons, dining, assemblies, and school plays, and which also includes a new kitchen area giving more space for the school to prepare healthy and nutritious meals from. New age-appropriate toilets will be provided, and this is all planned to be ready next year, targeting an Easter completion.
St Andrew’s CofE VC Primary School West
At St Andrew’s West, a new practical learning area was provided for classes such as cookery, art and design. A new multi-use games area (MUGA) will allow for all year-round PE lessons, playing lots of different types of sports, as well as being used as playground space.
A new teaching block of four classrooms is planned to make sure there are enough school places available when they are needed. These are designed to meet the latest space and comfort standards to give the best possible teaching spaces.
St Andrew’s CofE VC Primary School East
At St Andrew’s East, a new teaching block is planned to provide four extra classrooms to make sure there are enough school places available when they are needed. These are designed to meet the latest space and comfort standards to give the best possible teaching spaces. A new practical learning area will also be provided for classes such as cookery, art and design, and a new classroom for pupils with special educational needs.
Stratton School
At Stratton School, remodelling of the school to deliver a modern secondary school curriculum included creating a new computer suite and refurbished classrooms, to improve working areas for students. A new special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) and additional resource provision (ARP) unit has been created. We also made the school more accessible with a two-storey passenger lift.
The sixth form area was relocated into the old library to create a new common room and grab-and-go food facilities, while a new library was created in the atrium.
Sutton Primary
At Sutton, a new space has been created for practical lessons such as cooking, art and technology as well as a new classroom for pupils with special educational needs. More generally, all of the classrooms were reviewed to make sure they meet the latest standards for modern learning, and the library was given a new look.
In the new year, a larger hall will be built that can be used for PE lessons, dining, assemblies, and school plays. The hall will also provide a new canteen area. A new multi-use games area will be built which will allow for all year-round PE lessons playing many different types of sports, as well as being used as playground space.
Wrestlingworth Infant School
At Wrestlingworth, teaching spaces are providing the best learning environment, while changes to room layouts were made as well as improving facilities such as cloakroom and handwashing. A new canopy which will enable some lessons to be taught outdoors.
By Easter 2024, we had already remodelled the toilets, with all new sanitary wear and flooring to make sure they are age appropriate, and pupils feel comfortable.
Dunton
At Dunton, a new resource room was created for pupils with special educational needs, and a new library. Behind the scenes, staff areas were created that will help them manage the school.
A planning application has also been made to provide a new teaching block of two classrooms and a practical learning area for classes such as cookery, art and design. These are designed to meet the latest space and comfort standards to give the best possible teaching spaces. A new multi-use games area (MUGA) will allow for all year-round PE lessons playing lots of different types of sports, as well as being used as playground space. These are expected to be delivered ready for next spring.