How are changes decided?
Changes for maintained schools
These are schools maintained by Central Bedfordshire Council. The key steps in developing and agreeing on a plan for schools in each area to transition to the two-tier model of education are outlined below.
1. Collaboration and development of a plan with schools
The schools in each area work together to understand each other’s ambitions for change or growth and collaborate with Central Bedfordshire Council on a plan. The aim is for unanimous agreement, based on coordinated change principles. If unanimity is not possible, a broad majority will be sought.
2. Viability and feasibility studies
- a viability study assesses each school site and creates a rough plan for what might be delivered. This enables an early decision on whether to proceed. If considered deliverable, the project progresses to a feasibility study. If not, the area model may need revision
- a feasibility study develops early design work from the viability study, assessing existing accommodation and potential expansion areas for new classrooms
- these stages also consider factors like planning constraints, highways issues, land conditions, and estimated costs. Design changes may be necessary if costs exceed the budget
3. Development and publication of the proposals
A draft plan is published, presented to Central Bedfordshire Council’s Executive Committee, and discussed in a public meeting. Councillors are asked to approve a public consultation at two separate stages a "Have Your Say" consultation and a legally-required statutory consultation.
4. Have Your Say Consultation
This public consultation seeks feedback from you about the proposals for both maintained schools and academies. It typically runs for 6 to 12 weeks, though adjustments may be made to accommodate school holidays. This is the first time you will learn about the proposals and have an opportunity to shape the plan.
5. Proposal reviewed
After the consultation closes, feedback is considered and discussed between the schools and the council. Any necessary changes are made before proceeding to the statutory consultation.
6. Statutory consultation on proposed changes
Each school in the area must legally conduct a public consultation on the specific changes required by the plan. This statutory consultation is the second and final opportunity for you to provide feedback. For council-maintained schools, this is led by Central Bedfordshire Council and lasts four weeks. Academy schools manage their own consultations.
7. Final decision
In a public Executive Committee meeting, councillors consider the collective feedback from each statutory consultation for maintained schools and either agree or reject the proposed changes and funding for all schools, whether maintained or academy. However, for academies, the Regional Director’s Office is the decision maker (see the changes for academy schools section below).
8. Change
If the proposals are approved by the Council’s Executive Committee, your school will change its age range to become either a primary or secondary school. If physical changes are required, planning permission will be sought for necessary construction works. In some cases, alternative solutions, including school closures, may be considered as part of the re-organization. Construction works will ideally be completed as the school transitions to its new role.
9. The process is complete
Schools will become either primary or secondary institutions, with facilities to support this change and help improve educational outcomes.
Changes for academy schools
Academies are funded by central government through the Department for Education, not the council. Policies on academies and changes to academies are set by the Secretary of State for Education and Education Ministers.
Any proposal to change the size or age range of an academy, open a new academy, or close an existing academy must be approved by the Department for Education.
The Department for Education has divided the country into eight regions, each with a Regional Director responsible for decisions on changes to academies, in line with policies set by Education Ministers. Our region is the East of England.
Each Regional Director for the East of England has an advisory board that considers changes to academies and advises the Regional Director.
Academies and multi-academy trusts can propose changes after conducting a local consultation with you and all interested parties, including the council, other local schools, and parents.
The Regional Director for the East of England decides on these proposals. The Department for Education can also propose changes to academies, managed through the Regional Director.
These are the key steps to develop and agree on the plan for schools in each area
1. Collaboration and development of a plan with schools
The schools in each area work together to understand each other’s ambitions for change or growth and collaborate with Central Bedfordshire Council on a plan. The aim is for unanimous agreement, based on coordinated change principles. If unanimity is not possible, a broad majority will be sought.
2. Viability and feasibility studies
- a viability study assesses each school site and creates a rough plan for what might be delivered. This enables an early decision on whether to proceed. If considered deliverable, the project progresses to a feasibility study. If not, the area model may need revision
- a feasibility study develops early design work from the viability study, assessing existing accommodation and potential expansion areas for new classrooms
- these stages also consider factors like planning constraints, highways issues, land conditions, and estimated costs. Design changes may be necessary if costs exceed the budget
3. Development and publication of the proposals
A draft plan is published, presented to Central Bedfordshire Council’s Executive Committee, and discussed in a public meeting. Approval is sought from councillors to consult publicly with parents, residents, and the local community at two separate stages. This will be a ‘Have Your Say’ consultation and a final consultation conducted by each academy.
4. Have Your Say Consultation
This public consultation seeks feedback from you about the proposals for both maintained schools and academies. It typically runs for 6 to 12 weeks, though adjustments may be made to accommodate school holidays. This is the first time you will learn about the proposals and have an opportunity to shape the plan.
5. Proposal reviewed
After the consultation closes, feedback is considered and discussed between the schools and the council. Any necessary changes are made.
6. Academies consult on proposed changes
Each academy in the area will be required to conduct its own consultation on the specific changes required by the plan. This is the second and final opportunity for you to provide feedback.
7. Final decision
Each academy must submit a business case to the DfE Regional Director for the East of England, seeking permission for a change of age range. Central Bedfordshire Council will support each academy with their change process, but the final decision lies with the Regional Director.
8. Change
If the proposals are agreed upon, your academy will transition to either a primary or secondary school. If physical changes are needed, planning permission will be sought for necessary construction. Construction may be completed at the same time as the transition or according to a phased schedule.
9. The process is complete
Academies will become either primary or secondary institutions, with the facilities to support this change and help improve educational outcomes.
What happens next?
Designs will need to be developed and planning applications made and approved for any building works to begin. Plans for each individual area and each school will be detailed during the consultation stage.