Tiverton High School has been included in the Government’s Schools Rebuilding Programme, the Department for Education’s South West Region Group has confirmed.
In the Budget announced on 30 October, Chancellor Rachel Reeves confirmed that there would be a £1.4 billion investment into a national School Rebuilding Programme.
Tiverton High School was built on a floodplain over 60 years ago and Environment Agency reports have scored regular flooding of school buildings as a “risk to life”. Moreover, the school is said to have asbestos present across various school buildings, and with a built provision of 1,300, the infrastructure cannot meet the required capacity of 1,800 pupils.
Following an assessment of Tiverton High School, the Department for Education judged that the school requires necessary investment and have decided to place the school into Group 2 of the programme. This will mean that the Tiverton High School rebuild could begin as early as April 2025. Most schools chosen to be in Group 1, for more urgent rebuilds, are RAAC-related projects.
Tiverton High School was first promised a rebuild in 1999 and placed on the then-Labour Government’s priority list in 2008, but funding was later withdrawn.
Recent news last week announced that Tiverton High School was looking to move from state to academy status. The South West Regions Group has also reaffirmed that Tiverton High School’s upcoming Ofsted judgement will have no impact on future timescales of the upcoming rebuild.
Rachel Gilmour, MP for Tiverton and Minehead, has been fighting hard to secure a place for Tiverton High School on the 518-schools list, with frequent contact with the Secretary of State for Education, Bridget Phillipson and her Department. Immediately following the Budget announcement on the 30 October, Rachel sent a letter the same afternoon, pleading for Tiverton High School to get much needed funding.
Rachel Gilmour, MP for Tiverton and Minehead said:
“I am delighted that the Department for Education has listened to our calls for investment, which will see Tiverton High School being rebuilt from as early as April 2025.
“During my campaign, I made it known that securing a better future for Tiverton High School was one of my key priorities. The school has been in a dire state of repair for decades now and, undoubtedly, this has had a disastrous impact on the educational achievements in the school for an extended period.
“To teach and learn in a building in such a poor state of disrepair has been nothing short of traumatising for the head, her staff and pupils. To my mind, Sammy Crook and Jon Sowden are the true heroes in this result.
“This gives me confidence that with persistent, evidence-based lobbying, the Labour Government are prepared to listen to those MPs who put the best cases forward. Irrespective of my political beliefs, I am so proud of all of us. This is what makes my job worthwhile.”
Sammy Crook, Executive Head of Tiverton High School said:
“This long-awaited news is fantastic for Tiverton High School and our community. We have experienced difficulties with the tired building which puts pressure on staff and students.
“We are creative with the buildings we have but news that rebuilding work is confirmed is what our students, staff, and community has been waiting for. I will make sure we continue to provide an education that inspires students and our staff.”
The following document was received, confirming the Group 2 status:
