CHAGFORD’S brand new primary school was officially opened by children’s author Sir Michael Morpurgo last Wednesday (October 10).

The brand new building was also blessed by the Bishop of Exeter, the Right Reverend Robert Atwell, at the ceremony, almost four years to the day since the school community learned they would be getting a new government-funded school.

The bishop took the chance to bless a granite Celtic cross which was carved especially for the new school by former governor Jon Bint.

The cross features the initials of all four parishes served by the school – Chagford, Gidleigh, Throwleigh and Drewsteignton.

Sir Michael and his wife Lady Clare were given a tour of the school and the author read one of his latest stories to the children.

Headteacher Liz Wiseman said: ‘This was a very exciting morning for the children and they were given a fantastic reading of part of a brand new book by Michael Morpurgo in his wonderful, child-friendly style of delivery.

‘The children were captivated by his every word and it was an absolute pleasure to have his company for the morning, so special.’

She added the opening of the new school was a ‘momentous day for the pupils, their families, teachers and the wider school 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 technologically efficient learning environment.

‘As the headteacher of Chagford CE 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.’

The decision to replace the new school was not without controversy, with a campaign launched back in 2014 by some parents who felt that the existing school buildings should be refurbished rather than demolished.

However planning permission was granted by Dartmoor National Park Authority after the headteacher appealed for the community to get behind the project, saying that it was becoming ‘more and more challenging’ to teach pupils in the current building.

The school has been funded through the Education, Skills and Funding Agency’s Priority Schools Building Programme.

Now that it has been completed, the contractors are demolishing the old school building, with the space to be used for outdoor facilities including a new playground and Sport England-approved sports field.