Central Bedfordshire Council explores grammar school return

Central Bedfordshire Council is exploring the return of grammar schools to the area

A council is seeking permission from the government to create grammar schools in Central Bedfordshire.

Central Bedfordshire Council wants a "decision in principle" from the Department for Education (DfE) to explore setting up "annexe" schools.

If granted Mark Versallion, head of education at the council, said schools in Aylesbury and Cambridgeshire would be contacted.

He sees the first school "annexe" being built in Dunstable or Leighton Buzzard.

These are growing towns where another 1,000 school places will soon be needed, he said.

He said pupils are travelling to grammar and independent schools outside the area and this indicated that parents have a need for other options.

This follows a decision by the DfE to allow a similar grammar school in Kent.

Mark Versallion is seeking a "decision in principle" from the Department for Education

Mr Versallion said: "We are losing many of our best and brightest pupils to Bedford and Cambridgeshire independents and Aylesbury grammars.

"Parents are expressing to me their wish for this type of school at surgeries, through emails, letters and telephone calls."

Mr Versallion said about 1,000 more school places were needed as the two towns were growing.

"The first step is to get a DfE decision in principle in favour and then to contact the existing schools that might be interested in setting up an 'annexe'."

"It is an idea I believe is worth pursuing," he said.

The Labour Party on Central Bedfordshire Council has been contacted for a comment.