Our Vision: Samuel Whitbread Academy to Become a Full Secondary School (Years 7–13) in September 2028

The Trust Board of Bedfordshire Schools Trust (BEST) will submit an application to the Department for Education (DfE) Regional Director to formally extend the age range of Samuel Whitbread Academy. Central Bedfordshire Council’s strategic plan is to transition the local authority area from a three-tier to a standard two-tier model via a co-ordinated approach. We feel this change aligns with the aims of transitioning Samuel Whitbread Academy to a secondary school.

A formal consultation has gone live today, October 1st, and will run for 6 weeks, closing at 12.00 noon on 12 November 2026.  

Please see attached the formal announcement of the public consultation period covering both the structural proposal to extend the age range (effective September 2028) and the consequential changes to admission arrangements.