Residents, parents and carers are being invited to have their say on proposed changes to school admission arrangements for four schools in Central Bedfordshire. The consultation runs from 19 October to 30 November 2026.
We are consulting on proposed admission changes for Silsoe CofE VC Lower School, Houghton Regis Primary School, Thornhill Primary School and Tithe Farm Primary School for the 2028-29 academic year.
The council has a statutory responsibility to coordinate admissions for community and voluntary controlled schools and must consult when proposing changes to admission arrangements, including admission numbers and the way places are prioritised.
The proposals include reducing the Published Admission Number at Silsoe CofE VC Lower School from 60 to 30 Reception places from September 2028. This reflects lower demand and projected pupil numbers.
The consultation also proposes removing catchment areas for Houghton Regis Primary School, Thornhill Primary School and Tithe Farm Primary School. Instead, where applications exceed available places, priority would be given to children living closest to the school, measured in a straight line.
The proposed changes respond to significant growth in the Houghton Regis area, including the Bidwell and Linmere developments. The council believes the changes would make the admissions process fairer, clearer and easier for families to understand.
Cllr Gareth Mackey, our Executive Member for Children and Families, said:
We want to ensure our school admission arrangements continue to meet the needs of our growing communities and provide a fair and transparent process for families.
These proposals reflect changing demand for school places, and population growth in parts of Central Bedfordshire.
I would encourage parents, carers, schools and residents to take part in the consultation and share their views. Feedback received will help inform the final decisions on these proposed admission arrangements.
The proposed changes would not affect children already attending the schools. However, families applying for a Reception place from September 2028 at any of the schools included in the consultation could be affected if applications exceed the number of places available.
People can take part by completing the online questionnaire. The consultation closes on 30 November 2026. Final admission arrangements will be determined by February 2027 and published by March 2027.