Totnes school aims to sell half its land

King Edward VI wants to raise £7 million

Major plans by King Edward VI community college in Totnes to sell half its site to fund a multi-million pound improvement project have been unveiled.

The £7 million scheme aims to create a single site for the school, a change from the existing split-site model, see sporting facilities enhanced, fund much-needed and overdue repairs, and provide a new modern dedicated sixth form block. To fund the works, several parcels of land, including some areas currently unused, would need to be sold.

A consultation runs for six weeks, with the school urging people to give their feedback.

Alan Salt, principal, said: “KEVICCs has long been a popular and successful secondary school and plays an integral part in the local community. Its accommodation and site has grown organically over time, as and when resources have been available, and as student numbers have grown.

“However, numbers at the college have stabilised over the last few years and this provides an opportunity for the governing body to re-evaluate and rationalise the whole of the existing campus to create the best possible learning environment for existing and future students as well as provide the community with access to facilities and a college they can be proud of."

The consultation paper says: “Our vision for the use of the College site reflects the College’s values and our vision. We will seek to make decisions about the College site based on these, mindful both of our duty to secure use of the land that represents best value for the College and its students, and our commitment to the very best for students currently at the College and those who will come here in future.

“The process we are currently going through is part of the process of applying for the Secretary of State’s approval to sell the areas of land identified. If permission is given and the land is sold then any plans for the land will, if required, also need to go through the usual planning process, and during this separate process you will also be able to comment on any proposals put forward to the planning authority of South Hams District Council.”

£7 million and part of this could be yours

The Areas of land proposed to be disposed of:

• The sheep field – the area is overgrown and not used by the college at all
• Redworth House Gardens – currently used as the recreational area for sixth form
• Redworth House – currently used as the sixth form centre, this Victorian residential property requires significant investment (at least £500,000 over the next three years) to maintain the building safely without improving the quality of the current learning spaces.
• Lower school building, (Elmhirst site) – not currently used and is in a state of significant disrepair 
• Part of the lower school field – currently a green space, weather permitting

The proposals for investment from the sale of the land:

• Enhancement of Sporting Facilities including a new All Weather Pitch (Football,  New Changing Facilities on the Redworth Site, Improved drainage to the Redworth Field, Refurbishment of Redworth Gym/Sports Hall, Retention of Existing All Weather Pitch – Elmhirst Site (Hockey)
• A new modern dedicated Sixth Form Block
• Removal of Poor Condition Mobile Classrooms
• A new Street Scene and External Auditorium
• Improvements to Site Security, Access and Safeguarding
• The replacement of roof areas for the main building, Redworth Building and the gymnasium to address life expired flat roofs, failing pitched roofs, slipped tiles, and failed concrete roof tiles
• The replacement of rotting timber frames doors and windows with double glazed units
• The upgrade of toilet facilities which require urgent refurbishment
• The refurbishment of Design Technology, Art and ICT rooms
• Urgent resurfacing is required throughout the site to uneven tarmac roads, paths and play surfaces, to eliminate trip hazards and improve the accessibility of the site

Mr Salt said: “Having access to excellent sporting facilities on one site will enable students to be able to use these facilities every day rather than only in dedicated PE lessons. New, fit for purpose changing rooms will also help students see how much we value physical activity and provide a better environment for all groups who use the facilities to benefit from.

“For the community the addition of an artificial football pitch will provide an excellent facility that can be used throughout the year and encourage groups and teams to develop and grow. This will be an amazing addition to local sports facilities that will enable the local community access to a state of the art facility in the town.

“The refurbishment of our science classrooms four years ago provided us with a great insight into how dedicated, well-equipped, inspirational spaces can help us develop the curriculum and improve student outcomes. Being able to do this across the whole site will have a huge impact on how we are able to provide the very best for the children of Totnes and the surrounding area.”

Some of the capital receipt will be used to fund the building of a brand new purpose built Sixth Form Block at the heart of the campus, which would provide dedicated communal, social and study space for sixth form pupils, additional teaching spaces and a large multi-functional space potentially for school and community use.

The statement adds: “The College has a vision to improve its facilities and accommodation for pupils and the local community but local authority, central government and other funding for school buildings is very limited and will not cover the scope of works that the College aspires to or needs. The only realistic way of funding these much needed improvements is to dispose of land that is surplus to the College’s requirements and re-invest the proceeds into the remaining school buildings.

This consultation runs until July 26. More details at: https://www.kingedwardvi.devon.sch.uk/_site/data/files/docs/F550DA69F415B3A697983F108FA798FA.pdf