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Primary schools expanded to deal with shortages around Bedfordshire Primary schools expanded to deal with shortages around Bedfordshire
(34 minutes later)
Bedfordshire council has rushed through plans to expand its primary provision in the village of Stotfold after an outcry over shortages and families having to travel six miles to the schools they have been allocated. An outcry over a shortage of primary places that left families facing six-mile trips to school has forced a council to rush through plans to expand provision.
The Guardian reported on the dilemma facing families in Stotfold in the wake of last week's national admissions day as it transpired that even with three good primary schools, families had been left short of places for miles around. The Guardian reported on the dilemma facing families in Stotfold, Bedfordshire, following last week's national admissions day, when it transpired that despite three good primary schools, families had been left short of places for miles around.
Central Bedforshire council held a rapid series of meetings between planners and the schools and announced on Thursday that it was bringing forward plans to expand one of the schools while offering extra places at another. Central Bedfordshire council held a rapid series of meetings between planners and the schools and announced on Thursday that it was bringing forward plans to expand one of the schools while offering extra places at another.
"We're thrilled with the result and thrilled that they have resolved it so quickly and so well, as far as we are concerned," said Caroline Beevers, a Stotfold resident whose son Adam was unable to get a place in any of the three schools. "We're thrilled with the result and thrilled that they have resolved it so quickly and so well, as far as we are concerned," said Caroline Beevers, a Stotfold resident whose son Adam was unable to get a place in any of the three schools.
She added: "We're a bit nervous about exactly where we are going, because we still don't know for sure. This has highlighted some concerns about schooling in the area and how it will cope with continued expansion."She added: "We're a bit nervous about exactly where we are going, because we still don't know for sure. This has highlighted some concerns about schooling in the area and how it will cope with continued expansion."
Mark Versallion, the council's executive member for children's services, said the change of heart meant that all families on waiting lists and who applied on time would be considered for the 45 new places created, and will be told by the end of the week.Mark Versallion, the council's executive member for children's services, said the change of heart meant that all families on waiting lists and who applied on time would be considered for the 45 new places created, and will be told by the end of the week.
The council's head of school admissions and planning told parents in a letter that pressure on school places in the area was "a result of further housing growth, continued increased birth rate (as nationally) and the historical flow of many pupils into Hertfordshire which is a trend that has now ceased as a result of similar pressures in Hitchin and Letchworth." The council's head of school admissions and planning told parents in a letter that pressure on school places in the area was "a result of further housing growth, continued increased birth rate (as nationally) and the historical flow of many pupils into Hertfordshire, which is a trend that has now ceased as a result of similar pressures in Hitchin and Letchworth".