PARENTS in Okehampton have expressed excitement, relief and apprehension regarding plans for a second primary school to be built in the town.

Following Devon County Council’s announcement that it has secured land for a new school, Okehampton Primary held a meeting with parents to discuss its plans for a proposed Church of England primary school to be built on the site.

During the meeting it was explained that Okehampton Primary School, in partnership with Okehampton College and the Diocese of Exeter, has submitted a bid to the Department for Education to run the new primary school under the new ‘free’ school programme.

Hazel Fox, headteacher at Okehampton Primary School, said the new ‘free’ school would follow the national curriculum, have longer school days and specialise in outdoor activities.

She said: ‘We want to give you, as parents, a really hard choice by having two excellent primary schools in the town.

‘We are working on plans to distinguish the two schools, each will of course still follow the same national curriculum, however we are considering to make the new school a free school. This meaning that the school day would be longer and last until 4.30pm and there would be an emphasis to use this extra time to focus on outdoor and sporting activities. With this in mind, the existing school would be a viable Science, Maths and Technologies specialist school.

‘Each of the schools would offer the same excellent teaching and follow the same curriculum, however one would have a stronger flavour one way than the other.’

John Searson, director of education of the Diocese of Exeter, added: ‘Our vision is that every child gets the best possible education and experiences. If our application is successful we intend to establish a highly distinctive, innovative and inclusive Church of England primary academy characterised by a desire to serve a developing community, which will be open, inclusive and nurturing to children of all faiths and world views.’

Charles Copely, a father whose children attend the school, said: ‘The new school is exciting and very important to new young families moving into the area. It’s clear that the new school has been a result of the development of the town and that another school has been needed for a while, however I think this slow and steady process will give it a good foundation.’

Kerrie Pitson, an Okehampton resident with children, said: ‘I’m relieved its happening and that the land has been secured. I think it is great news, however I just wish it had happened sooner.’

Fellow mum Louise Hawkings said: ‘The school has been too small for more than five years, there are currently four year 1 classes! It is about time that another school was built in the town. I think it is a good idea and exciting for the school, however I am worried about how it will work.

‘I currently have a child in the primary school but when my second child is old enough I am worried that they may be in different schools. I understand that the schools will most likely put in place a system so that parents with children already at Okehampton Primary will get priority, but what happens to those parents who might want to send their other children to the new school? It’s like they are saying we have a choice between the two schools but it’s surely going to be more selective than that.

‘I also have concerns that no-one from Okehampton really has a say on the matter. The final decision will be made by people in government up in Bristol or even further afield. I really think there should be some kind of opinion poll put out to parents asking them what they want from the new school.’

The second primary school in the town will be built on the 1.7 hectare site to the north of Crediton Road, and will accommodate up to 420 pupils with additional provision for early years children. The total cost of the site is around £1.2-million.

Devon County Councillor Kevin Ball said: ’This is the right time to start discussing the prospects of a new school with the community. It is important that the community has a say about what that new school should be like. These projects, unfortunately, cannot happen overnight but the fact the council has secured the site means that plans are definitely moving in the right direction and it is great that prospective groups are coming forward with ideas of how the new school could be shaped.’

Proposals for the new school plans proposed by the Okehampton Primary, Okehampton College and Diocese of Exeter can be viewed online at www.dartmooracademy.org

The final decision about the school will be made by Rebecca Clark, Regional Schools Commissioner for South-West England, alongside a team of governors.

No firm date has yet been set for a second primary school to open, though detailed design work for the new school has already been commissioned by Devon County Council.

Devon Wildlife Trust is to hold a public drop-in session for anyone interested in its plans to open Devon’s first ‘nature school’ on the site in Okehampton.

The team who have been involved in developing the exciting plans will be on hand to answer any questions and queries at the Ockment Centre from 2pm to 7pm on Friday, February 24.

Peter Burgess from Devon Wildlife Trust said: ’This is a wonderful opportunity for parents and children to find out more about Nature Schools from the team at Devon Wildlife Trust who are behind its development.

’Nature Schools will deliver an education for children following the national curriculum.

’Our education will, however, look and feel very different, more time will be spent outdoors in the local environment, and more nature will be brought into the classroom.

’This will stimulate young minds, and help children connect with all spheres of the curriculum helping to create a happy, healthy and exciting school environment.’