Frequently Asked Questions about the Cranfield and Marston area proposals
What are the transition arrangements for my child?
In many cases, you may not need to do anything. The creation of primary and secondary schools in the Cranfield and Marston area would provide the opportunity for your child to remain at a viable school until they transfer to their chosen secondary school, rather than transferring to a middle school for Year 5 and then again to an upper school for Year 9.
Any changes will take place on a scheduled date, to provide enough notice for you to plan and choose the school that is right for you. Your school will keep you informed of these dates as and when they happen, as will Central Bedfordshire Council.
What are the possible pathways for my child?
The current three-tier structure:
The current three-tier structure of schools (pictured above) in the Cranfield and Marston area is made up of:
Lower schools:
Cranfield Academy (St Paul’s)
Cranfield Academy (St Peter’s)
Houghton Conquest Lower School
Marston Moreteyne VC School (Church End)
Marston Moreteyne VC School (Forest End)
Thomas Johnson Lower School
Shelton Lower School
These schools take pupils from Reception year to Year 4.
Middle schools:
Holywell School
This school takes pupils from Year 5 to Year 8.
In the Wootton area (Bedford Borough) there are:
Broadmead Lower School
Wootton Lower School
Marston Vale Middle School
Wootton Upper School
Year 1 of schools’ transition to the two-tier model of education – 2025/26:
Primary schools
In the first year of the transition to the two-tier structure for schools in the Cranfield and Marston area (pictured above), which is the 2025/2026 academic year, the following lower schools could change to primary schools:
Cranfield Academy (St Paul’s)
Cranfield Academy (St Peter’s)
Houghton Conquest School
Marston Moreteyne VC School (Church End)
Marston Moreteyne VC School (Forest End)
Shelton School
Thomas Johnson School
This means that these schools will expand by initially adding an extra year group (Year 5 ). If your child is in Year 4 in the previous 2024/2025 academic year, you do not need to do anything. Your child can continue into Year 5 and then Year 6 before transferring to a secondary school for Year 7.
The future of Shelton School will be informed through consultation.
Secondary schools
Holywell School will change from a middle school to a secondary school. This means it will no longer have a Year 5, but will add a Year 9. Therefore, pupils can remain at the school into Year 9 and do not need to apply for places. This cohort of children will then move into Year 10 and Year 11 in the following two academic years, as the school expands.
In line with parental preference, pupils can still transfer to Wootton Upper School (in Bedford Borough) for Year 9.
In the Wootton area (Bedford Borough):
Pupils will remain at Broadmead Lower and Wootton Lower into Year 5 as they become primary schools
Marston Vale Middle School will remain a middle school, but will no longer admit pupils into Year 5.
Pupils will transfer to Wootton Upper School for Year 9.
Year 2 of schools’ transition to the two-tier model of education – 2026/27:
Primary schools
In the second year of the transition to the two-tier structure for schools in the Cranfield and Marston area, which is the 2026/2027 academic year, all the following primary schools will add a Year 6.
Cranfield Academy (St Paul’s)
Cranfield Academy (St Peter’s)
Houghton Conquest School
Marston Moreteyne VC School (Church End)
Marston Moreteyne VC School (Forest End)
Shelton School
Thomas Johnson School
The future of Shelton Lower School will be informed through consultation.
Secondary schools
Holywell School will be a secondary school, which will add a Year 10 and no longer admit pupils to Year 6.
In line with parental preference, pupils can still transfer to Wootton Upper School from Year 9 (in Bedford Borough).
In the Wootton area (Bedford Borough):
Pupils will remain at Broadmead and Wootton primaries into Year 6
Marston Vale Middle School will remain a middle school, but will no longer admit pupils into Year 6.
Pupils will transfer to Wootton Upper School for Year 9.
Year 3 of schools’ transition to the two-tier model of education – 2027/28:
Primary schools
In the third year, which is the 2027/2028 academic year, the transition to the two-tier structure for schools in the Cranfield and Marston area will be complete. The following will be primary schools:
Cranfield Academy (St Paul’s)
Cranfield Academy (St Peter’s)
Houghton Conquest Lower School
Marston Moreteyne VC School (Church End)
Marston Moreteyne VC School (Forest End)
Thomas Johnson Lower School
Secondary schools
The following will be secondary schools:
Holywell School
In the Wootton area (Bedford Borough):
Pupils will remain at Broadmead and Wootton primaries into Year 6 and move to Wootton Secondary School for Year 7.
Marston Vale Middle School will close, and children will be offered a place at Wootton Secondary School.
What does this mean for my child now?
The transition to the two-tier model of education proposed to take place in the 2025/26 academic year, here is what that would mean for each existing year group. If your child:
Is currently in years 7, 8 or 9 there will be no change to their education pathways and will continue into, or already be at, an upper school
Is currently in year 6 and at Holywell School, they will be able to stay on into year 9 and not need to apply for an upper school place. If they are at Marston Vale Middle School they will need to apply for a place at an upper school, typically Wootton Upper
Is currently in year 5 and at Holywell School, then they may wish to stay on at Holywell until year 11 and therefore won’t need to apply for an upper school place, as the school will have become a secondary school when they need to move into year 9 in September 2026. If they are at Marston Vale Middle School, they will stay there for four years and apply for an upper school place as is the arrangement now
Is currently in year 4, they will carry on into middle school in September 2023 and will need to apply for a place. Pupils who choose Holywell School will stay on into years 9, 10 and 11, as it will be a secondary school. They need not apply for a place at upper school. Pupils who choose Marston Vale Middle School will stay there for three years until year 8 and move over to Wootton Secondary School in 2026 when Marston Vale Middle School is proposed to close
Is currently in year 3, they will need to apply for a place in middle school for 2024. If at Holywell School, they will stay on at Holywell into year 11, as it will be a secondary school, and there will be no need to apply for an upper school place. If they are at Marston Vale Middle School, they will stay there for two years and then be transferred over to Wootton Secondary at the start of year 7 when Marston Vale Middle School is proposed to close
Is currently in Reception or years 1 or 2, then by 2025, the new two-tier arrangements would be in place. Middle schools will no longer be admitting children into year 5 and pupils will continue at their primary school for years 5 and 6. They will need to apply for a place at a secondary school while in year 6 which, depending on catchment areas, could be Holywell School or Wootton Secondary. They would start there in year 7 in 2027.
Will schools be adapted to support the change to two-tier?
Yes. Where required, some schools will require the construction of new buildings and facilities to support the transition to the two-tier model of education. For example, subject to Central Bedfordshire Council Executive Committee approval and planning consent, any middle school proposed to be converted to a secondary school is highly likely to require additional facilities to support a secondary curriculum.
What if I don’t want my child to stay at their current school?
There is already a process for this, which will remain the same. If you would like your child to attend a different school, then this would require a new school application to be made to attend the school of your choice.
Will this be disruptive to my child’s education?
Every effort will be made to ensure transitions are made as smoothly as possible. And, should any construction work be required that this is also done in a considerate way. This may require temporary facilities to be installed.
Will I be able to get transport for my child to get to the different school or a changed school?
Central Bedfordshire Council has a school transport policy for pupils and this policy will continue to apply to the new school system.
Briefly, for pupils aged 4 to 8 years, if your nearest local school is more than two miles from your home you may be eligible for support with school transport. For pupils who are 8 years and over, if your nearest school is more than three miles from your home you may be eligible for school transport support.
If my child must move to a different school or a changed school, do I have to pay for a new school uniform? Is there any financial help for parents who need to buy a new school uniform?
Decisions on school uniforms are taken either by school governing bodies or academy trusts. The council does not get involved in those decisions. Some schools and academies provide financial support for parents who need help with uniforms for their children. You can check with your school whether there is any opportunity for support with school uniforms.
Will you be providing nurseries at all primary schools?
Provision for nursery schools and early years is not part of the Schools for the Future programme, as most of this early years provision is by voluntary or private providers.
Will all the proposed secondary schools have a sixth-form provision?
Provision for sixth form or college places is not part of the Schools for the Future programme, but sixth form places for this area are provided at Wootton Upper School in Bedford Council.
Where can you find out more about the Schools for the Future programme?
Here are some general frequently asked questions from parents that you may find useful about the Schools for the Future programme, as a whole.