King-size school is proposed for pint-size Bedfordshire village

Bedford Borough Council proposes to shift Cotton End Primary School to a new site and increase its size six fold.

But villagers are baffled about the borough’s maths and already protesting about the plan.

“Why should a village of around 800 residents need a school for 630 when less than 50 children from the village attend the existing school?” said one.

The school, which currently has capacity for 105 children, is only a mile and a half away from Shortstown – where hundreds of new homes are planned to be built.

Shortstown school is already at capacity, say residents, who fear Cotton End will be used for overspill.

“The council’s proposals are a fudge necessary to overcome their own planning failures and their own change to a two tier education system,” said one objector.

Other village schools proposed for expansion are at Wootton, Bromham and Great Denham.