Clarity sought on East Devon school rebuild

Its future is uncertain

Certainty over a proposed scheme to relocate a Devon school is being sought amid the government’s spending review.

Tipton St John Primary School was in the previous administration’s priority schools’ rebuilding programme, but with Labour now seeking to cut plug a national funding gap, the future of the scheme is up in the air.

The Department for Education (DfE) had agreed to fund the construction of the new school, with Devon County Council providing the land and paying for work such as road access.

Former East Devon Conservative MP Simon Jupp, who lost his seat the election, had campaigned on the issue, and earlier this year welcomed the-then education secretary Gillian Keegan to the school to urge that work begin quickly.

The DfE’s preferred location for a new school is two miles away at Thorne Farm, Ottery St Mary.

But now, the county council says it is trying to find out whether the government will honour its predecessor’s commitment.

“With the new government still identifying its priorities, we are not yet clear what its intention is with the priority schools rebuilding programme,” a council spokesperson said.

“We are, however, seeking clarity.”

Following boundary changes at the last election, Tipton St John is now in the Honiton and Sidmouth constituency, represented by Liberal Democrat Richard Foord who says he would prefer to see the school stay in the village rather than moved to neighbouring Ottery.

This is despite the school being in a flood-risk area and being under water on several occasions.

Shortly after his election win, he went to visit the school and its headteacher and governors.

“It is a school that absolutely does need to be rebuilt, but there is a very big question over where,” Mr Foord said.

“Personally, I’m of the view that it should be kept in the village if at all possible.”

Mr Foord said that as it stands, chancellor Rachel Reeves’ spending assessment doesn’t extend to the DfE’s capital budget – the pot of money it would use for large schemes such as rebuilding schools.

“Again though, we want some certainty so I have put in a written question to parliament to make sure the school building program is going ahead and that Tipton St John is still part of it.”

A Department for Education spokesperson said: “We remain committed to improving the condition of the school estate, and the rebuild of Tipton St John is a part of that.

“We continue to work with the school and local partners and look forward to progressing the project when a new suitable site has been secured.

“All future decisions remain subject to the spending review.”