Last term, Chagford Church of England Primary new school building was officially opened by the children’s author Michael Morpurgo and blessed by Rt Reverend Robert Atwell, Bishop of Exeter. The doors were opened after almost four years after the initial acceptance onto the Priority Schools Building Programme, financed by the Education, Skills and Funding Agency.
This was a momentous day for the pupils, their families, teachers and the wider school community and heralded a new era in educational provision for Chagford and its community. The building secures a school with a 240 pupil capacity in this vibrant and creative community and enables the primary curriculum to be delivered within a fit for purpose and technological efficient learning environment.
As the headteacher of Chagford C E Primary, this has been both an exciting and challenging few years. The quality of the finished school which Kier Construction delivered and the extent of space and light which it provides for our current and future pupils makes this design and construction exceptional. Teaching and learning have been propelled into the 21stcentury and as a teaching team, we are now able to deliver the broadest curriculum to the highest standard, within a truly inspiring learning environment.
The pupils have thoroughly enjoyed their new surroundings since the start of the Autumn term. Comments from them include: ‘I love the windows’, ‘The new gymnastics equipment and hall are fantastic’, ‘I like looking into the new hall from the window upstairs’ and ‘I like that it feels calm’.
Although the construction phase of the school has been completed, the demolition of the old school building is currently in progress. Once complete the full extent of our outdoor learning environment will be realised. This will provide a Sports England approved sports field, a newly resurfaced playground and access to our existing amphitheatre and wildlife area for all the children to explore and enjoy. Our planting within our school grounds will be rich in bio-diversity and link into our curriculum across all phases.
As a community we have been extremely fortunate to have such an investment made into the educational future of our children and the finished school is an asset to the whole community to use and develop over the next few years.
Liz Wiseman
Headteacher
Chagford Church of England Primary School