Covid Notice
With the summer holidays fast coming to a close (although it may not feel like it in this heat) and September just around the corner, parents have a lot to organise. Education is a top priority and, with so many options about, choosing the best one for you can be an overwhelming task. We know that choosing a school involves so much more than just the academic side, and that the school environment is fundamental to the growth and development of every young adult. Luckily, though, there are lots of fantastic options to choose from in Houghton Regis, Bedford. Whilst everyone will have their school places well and truly confirmed for this academic year, here is some advice for those about the embark on the process of selecting the next stage of their child’s education.
For maximum convenience, a two-form primary school is being constructed on-site at Bidwell Mews. In the meantime, though, there are plenty of local nurseries and primary schools to choose from:
Houghton Regis Primary School provides education from Reception to Year 6 (3-11 years) and a variety of extra-curricular sports activities, including football teams for both girls and boys so the future England Squads can get training! Students are divided into four houses (Eagles, Falcons, Hawks and Kestrels), and are encouraged to work together to earn points by upholding the school values, participating in competitions and more. Rated ‘good’ by Ofsted, students are provided with a solid foundational education, to prepare them for secondary education.
Thornhill Primary School caters to students from Nursery to Year 6 (2-11 years). It cultivates a friendly atmosphere, with animal themed year groups and Tuesday after school clubs. The school has consistently been rated ‘good’ by Ofsted, and provides a safe environment in which pupils are taught it is ok to be different, and are encouraged to grow both personally and academically.
For parents looking for a primary education with a Catholic foundation, St Vincent’s RC Primary School offers education from Nursery to Year 6 (3-11 years), rated ‘good’ in its most recent Ofsted inspection. The school maintains close links to the local parish community and joins them weekly for Mass on Thursdays. It also provides extra-curricular sports and reading clubs, and, for parents with busier schedules and worried about childcare, ‘early birds’ and ‘late owls’ clubs run before and after school at a £3 hourly rate.
Thomas Whitehead CE Academy is an inclusive Church of England primary school, providing education from pre-school to Year 6 (2-11 years). The school is governed by Christian values, but welcomes those from all or no faiths and places emphasis on spiritual, social and cultural development. It also offers a selection of extra-curricular activities, including street dance and gardening clubs.
Tithe Farm Primary offers education from Nursery through to Year 6 (2-11 years), recently rated ‘good’ by Ofsted. Students take pride in their learning by being awarded ‘Learning Friend’ awards and becoming ‘Learning Superheroes’. The school has a strong community feel and students are encouraged to be responsible school citizens and to be role models to one another. The school also offers childcare before and after school in its ‘Big Fun Club’, at a rate of £3.30 per hour.
For those of you whose children have outgrown the above options, there are various secondary schools in the area to guide them on next part of their academic and personal journey, and support them in whatever interests and aspirations they hope to pursue.
Houghton Regis Academy provides education for students in Year 7-11, taking pupils through their GCSEs. The school offers a wide variety of extra-curricular activities, before, during and after school, including line dancing, sign language and art clubs, alongside the more traditional team sports.
The Academy of Central Bedfordshire provides Ofsted-rated ‘good’ quality KS3 and KS4 education, with a balance of traditional academic subjects and access to various vocational courses at KS4 level, including Catering and Hospitality, Motor Vehicle Engineering and Hair and Beauty. The school has a strong pastoral support team and recognises the individuality of its students, encouraging them to grow not only intellectually but also emotionally, physically and spiritually.
All Saints Academy is a rapidly improving school offering education from Year 7 through to Sixth Form. The school follows a Christian ethos and is visited weekly by the official School Chaplain, Revd. Tim Davis, a vicar based in the local St Fremund’s Church. The school offers traditional core subjects, as well as GCSEs in subjects such as Psychology and Computer Science, and BTECs in Sport and Hairdressing and Beauty. These are also supplemented by a range of extra-curricular activities that run during lunch breaks and after school.
Houghton Regis provides a fantastic environment for young people to grow both academically and personally, and with so many schools to choose from you’re sure to find the right fit for your family.
