Ashton Middle School
| Established | 1973 (1887) |
|---|---|
| Type | Voluntary aided middle school |
| Religion | Church of England |
| Founder | Frances Ashton |
| Location |
Bedfordshire England 51°53′22″N 0°31′30″W / 51.889514°N 0.525129°WCoordinates: 51°53′22″N 0°31′30″W / 51.889514°N 0.525129°W |
| Local authority | Central Bedfordshire |
| DfE number | 823/5410 |
| DfE URN | 109714 Tables |
| Ofsted | Reports |
| Gender | Coeducational |
| Ages | 9–13 |
| Houses | Ely, York, Lincoln & Wells |
| Colours | Navy blue and white |
| Website | www |
Ashton (Church of England) Middle School is Middle school in Dunstable, Bedfordshire, England, under the Central Bedfordshire Local Education Authority.
Intake comes from lower schools in the town and surrounding villages. The majority of graduates move up to one of the upper schools in the town: All Saints Academy, Queensbury Academy or Manshead School
In August 2014 Central Bedfordshire Council made the decision to close the school in 2016.
Ashton's main building and grounds began as Dunstable Grammar School, founded by Frances Ashton in 1728 and built in 1887. It officially took on its middle school name and status in 1973.
Bedfordshire changed from a two-tier school system to a three-tier system (lower, middle and upper) in 1972, the concept of middle schools originally being mooted in the 1967 Plowden Report. It is now one of fewer than 200 middle schools in England.
In August 2014 Central Bedfordshire Council made the decision to close Ashton Middle School in 2016. The council claims that falling pupil numbers are making the school financially unviable, however the Church of England Diocese of St Albans is currently consulting on whether to appeal the closure. The closure of the school is part of a reorganisation of schooling in Dubstable which is expected to ultimately lead to closure of three middle schools in the area.
The school has five buildings, the "A" block being the largest and oldest, situated parallel to Watling Street, mainly used for maths and French lessons and secretary duties. It also houses a matrons office, a library, the main hall and school chapel. The "B" block is primarily for the new intake form classes. The "C" block is multipurpose but includes science labs and design-technology rooms. The "D" block is used for history, geography and music teaching; and the "E" block contains lockers and storage.
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