New look schools approved for Cranfield and Marston Moreteyne
Almost 700 additional school places are coming
Up to 693 additional school places will be created across the Cranfield and Marston Moreteyne area after four major school expansion projects were approved – and here are the first glimpses at artist’s impression of what two of the new school buildings could look like.
The schemes form part of the our wider programme to support the transition to a primary and secondary education system, ensuring local schools have the capacity and facilities needed to meet future demand.
The approved developments include expansions at Cranfield Church of England Academy (St Paul’s), Holywell School and both the Church End and Forest End sites of Marston Moreteyne VC School, all of which made the transition to either primary or secondary schools in September.
Together, the projects will provide capacity for an additional 693 pupils and around 60 members of staff, while delivering new classrooms, improved sports facilities, enhanced outdoor spaces and a range of sustainability measures.
At Holywell School (pictured above), capacity will rise from 720 to 900 pupils through a new teaching block and refurbishment works, alongside improved sports facilities including a new multi-use games area. An artist’s impression of what the new facilities will look like
At Cranfield Church of England Academy (St Paul’s) (pictured below), capacity will increase from 147 to 420 pupils through the construction of a new two-storey teaching block, refurbishment of existing buildings and improvements to outdoor facilities.
Marston Moreteyne VC School’s Church End and Forest End campuses will each expand by 120 places, supporting their development into full primary schools as part of the area’s education transition programme.
The developments include a range of measures designed to support safe and sustainable journeys to and from school, including additional cycle and scooter parking and updated travel plans, with councillors agreeing conditions for further work continuing alongside schools, local communities and council officers as the projects progress.
All four schemes incorporate environmental enhancements, including biodiversity improvements, new planting and habitat creation. Sustainability features across the developments include solar panels, air source heat pumps and electric vehicle charging infrastructure.
Subject to the discharge of planning conditions, work on the approved developments will now begin to progress.