Two school expansions approved for Leighton Buzzard
Wednesday, 6 February 2019
Our Executive approved school expansions for Gilbert Inglefield Academy and Vandyke Upper School, at its meeting on Tuesday 5 February, 2019.
Subject to approval by the Department for Education and successful planning applications, this means the two Leighton Buzzard north schools will expand by 60 places in each year group by September 2020.
This follows consultations carried out by the schools’ governing bodies, that both achieved high levels of support, as did a report for our Children’s Services Overview and Scrutiny Committee last month.
Funding for the two schools will total £18.2 million and comes from section 106 contributions and the Department for Education Growth Fund.
Councillor Steve Dixon, Executive Member for Families, Education and Children, said: "The amount of new homes planned for and currently being built in Leighton Buzzard shows just what a popular place the area is to live with families. That is why we are acting now to ensure that there are sufficient places in the areas of most demand to allow children to attend schools on their doorstep.
"We’re are also delighted to be bringing forward this investment in schools, which will total £18.2 million but comes at no cost to us."