New East Devon school approved

Children of Uplyme rejoice!

A new school on the East Devon border with Dorset has been approved, promising a "21st century education," and improvement from the current poor conditions at of the  Mrs Ethelstons CE Primary School, Uplyme

A new school has been a long held ambition and is in the neighbourhood plan, after outline planning permission was granted in 2016. It will be called the. A different form of permission has now been granted by East Devon planners, despite fears over highway safety near the village hall and petrol station.

Andrea Rice, executive headteacher, told councillors that it was difficult to deliver a modern curriculum on the existing premises. She said: “The site is crammed in and there is no room for us to expand and the usual facilities you would expect in a school are not available. We have no hall for worship and PE, and dining is a problem as children have to eat meals in the classroom, and the playground is too small so we have to have staggered breaks.

“We have no green space for children to play in, no space for teaching drama and arts and outside learning, and our ambition is limited by the building.”

Of the 77 comments regarding the application, all but four were in support. Development Manager Chris Rose said the parish council and operators of the petrol station opposite both strongly objected to the access proposals and they considered these to conflict with access to and safe operation of the petrol station.

He added: “It is suggested that this could result in the closure of the petrol station and associated post office and store.

“But Devon County Council, as the highways authority, has considered the application in detail and raised no objections to it, considering the single access/egress point to be the most appropriate option to serve the site and that sufficient information has been submitted to consider the traffic impacts. It is also considered that the proposal would be likely to reduce some of the off-site highway issues relating to the current school site which lacks parking provision.”

Cllr Ian Thomas, who represents the Trinity ward in which the site lies, said: “I have supported the principle of development on this site for a new school to safeguard a sustainable future for 21st century education in the village as this isn’t possible in current site.”

The existing primary school has occupied its current site since 1854, and whilst those premises have been extended and altered to adapt to the changing needs in education over the years, it is recognised that the increased number of children being accommodated and the requirements of the national curriculum make it unfeasible to continue operation there indefinitely.

The new single form entry primary school will be able to accommodate 210 children, an increase of 25 on the current role. Landscaping will provide the children with a stimulating environment for outdoor learning and creative play, whilst an all-weather surface and a multi-functional hall will ensure PE will take place all year round.