Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what discussions her Department has had with Central Bedfordshire Council on the delayed timetable for completing its transition from a three-tier to a two-tier school system; and what assessment she has made of the potential impact of completing that transition on education in that area.

Officials hold scheduled fortnightly meetings with Central Bedfordshire Council officers, which include regular updates on progress towards completing the three-tier to a two-tier transition. A dedicated meeting was held on 7 October, during which Central Bedfordshire officials provided an update on the programme. The local authority is working with stakeholders to develop a revised plan.

It is the responsibility of the local authority to plan education provision in its area and to undertake any impact assessments necessary to inform and support those plans.