THE headteacher of Chagford Primary School is urging people to embrace ‘the next chapter’ in the school’s history by supporting plans for a brand new building.

Views are being sought on plans to construct a new primary school on the school playing field and demolish the existing school buildings.

The Kier Construction Group has submitted the application to Dartmoor National Park on behalf of the Education Funding Agency (EFA) and the deadline to submit views on the scheme is December 23.

Plans to build a new school were first talked about in 2014 and have not been without controversy. Chagford residents launched the ‘Don’t Shrink Our School’ campaign expressing concerns that the new building would reduce recreation space for the children and would be smaller than the current building.

They felt the existing school should be refurbished rather than replaced.

However, the school confirmed to the Times this week that the new building would be larger than the existing and there would be no loss of land or provision with this project.

It has been concluded that the only viable option for the school would be a new building rather than a refurbishment.

Headteacher Liz Wiseman said: ‘The governors, myself and the staff are wholeheartedly in favour of the proposed new school which will provide a 21st century teaching environment in which to deliver a 21st century curriculum.

‘I encourage parents to submit their comments to Dartmoor National Park planning authority on the proposed new build and express your support and enthusiasm for this exciting next chapter for our school.

‘The planning authority will only take account of submissions directly relating to the plans for the proposed new build. There is no planning application for a refurbishment and the only proposal is for a new build so please bear this in mind when sending in your views.

‘In our present school building, it is becoming more and more challenging to meet the needs of our pupils and staff and to provide an environment for teaching and learning of the highest standard. 

‘Crucially there is no funding available for the most basic maintenance. Any further delay would seriously compromise the strategic development of our school and the future of our school, in our community.  We sincerely hope that this planning application will receive resounding support.’

Mrs Wiseman gave an assurance that the disruption to the children and their learning would be minimal, as they would be seamlessly moved from the current school building into the new one.

Business manager for Chagford Primary School Nuala McDermott said: ‘The new school will be slightly bigger than the current school, which was initially built for children of secondary school age. The new school will be built with the requirements needed for primary aged pupils.

‘There is also no loss of land or provision with this project. The new building will allow for a less fragmented playing area, meaning that the entire site will be safer and easier to supervise.

‘We have got to look at the wider picture. The new school will provide the children with the best possible learning environment — and that is the most important thing.’

Mrs McDermott said the playing field would be restored with exciting new plans for the entirety of the available outdoor space.

The new building would also be energy efficient, meeting all current environmental standards for schools, such as heating, lighting and ventilation as well as all equality standards.

The EFA is supporting the school as part of the Priority School Build Programme — a scheme to provide funding to provide 21st century teaching and learning environments for children.

The school was identified by Devon County Council as being in urgent need of repair, upgrade and modification and out of approximately 24,000 state schools in the country was said to be one of 261 in the worst condition.

The EFA undertook a feasibility study last year and concluded that the only viable option for Chagford Primary School would be a new building as opposed to a refurbishment. This decision was endorsed by those contractors who took part in the procurement process.

As the Times went to press, the planning application had four letters of support and no letters of objection.

The plans will be on display in Endacott House, Chagford next Monday (December 12) from 10am to 1pm and from 6pm to 7.30pm.

Alternatively search the application number 0627/16 on Dartmoor National Park’s website www.dartmoor.gov.uk