Biggleswade school changes – three-tier to two-tier

In September 2024, the following changes will take place:

  • Biggleswade Academy lower and middle schools merge to become a primary school
  • Caldecote Academy (Lower) to become a primary school
  • Dunton Lower School will become an infant/junior with Wrestlingworth Lower School
  • Edward Peake Middle School will become a secondary school
  • Lawnside Academy (Lower) to become a primary school
  • Northill CofE Academy (Lower) to become a primary school
  • St Andrew’s (East) Lower School will become a primary school
  • St Andrew’s (West) Lower School will become a primary school
  • Stratton Upper to become a secondary school
  • Sutton Lower School will become a primary school
  • Wrestlingworth Lower School will become an infant/junior with Dunton Lower School

Across this Biggleswade cluster of schools, we are investing £32 million to ensure this cluster not only changes 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.

As this is an enormous endeavour across a relatively large geographical area, it’s great that schools are keen to make this change, and we are now only a few months away from that change happening for the start of the new school term in September.

This 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 in changing from the three-tier model of education (lower, middle and upper schools) to the two-tier model (primary and secondary schools), which will take 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

At Biggleswade Academy, we are carrying out extensive remodelling of teaching spaces to make sure classrooms meet the latest standards for effective learning, and to make sure areas like toilets and changing rooms are age appropriate.

Most of these works will be completed for September with some light works carrying past the start of term. 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 are being remodelled to make sure they all meet the latest teaching standards. We are also creating a new space 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 is being improved too, with a new canopy allowing for outdoor learning, but the playing field is also being made larger with space for an under-9’s football pitch. This will all be ready for the start of term in September.

Edward Peake

At Edward Peake, to transform the school from a middle school to a secondary school, we will be building a new sports hall 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, while a new MUGA (Multi-Use Games Area) will have a full-size football pitch with floodlighting.

Internal remodelling and refurbishment of the existing sports hall will create six classrooms, for improved art and design-technology provision, plus a computer suite. Also, internal remodelling will create a smaller hall, that is larger than the existing one, and will be multi-use so that pupils can use for breakout groups, lunch, studying, presentation space and smaller assemblies. We will also create an enlarged English classroom.

Internal remodelling is planned for the summer holidays to some existing classrooms so that they are set up to deliver the art and design technology curriculum for the next academic year, while the MUGA is planned to be ready for the new year. Then the remaining work is planned to finish through next year, with completion in 2025, the new sports hall completed in August 2025, and the conversion of the existing sports hall being carried out between April 2025 and October 2025. Completion of the small hall will then 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, we will be installing four temporary classrooms to make sure there are enough school places when they are needed this September. While they are temporary, they are 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 we’ve made for a brand-new six classroom block. We also want to expand the hard playground space and build a MUGA (Multi-Use Games Area), marked with a small football pitch, tennis court and netball court. We are planning for these to be completed next summer.

Northill CofE Academy

At Northill CofE Academy, we are about to make a planning application for a new build larger hall that can be used for PE lessons, dining, assemblies, and school plays, which also includes a new kitchen area giving more space for the school to prepare healthy and nutritious meals from. We will also be providing new age-appropriate toilets. We are planning for this to be ready next year, targeting an Easter completion.

Over this summer holiday period we’re making some improvements to existing – and creating new – teaching areas, as well as a quiet room / reflection area for pupils.

St Andrew’s West

At St Andrew’s West, we have made a planning application to provide a new teaching block of four 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.

We are also providing a new practical learning area 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. We expect this to be ready for teaching in September.

St Andrew’s East

At St Andrew’s East, we have made a planning application to provide a new teaching block providing 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. We are also providing a new practical learning area for classes such as cookery, art and design, and a new classroom for pupils with Special Educational Needs.