1,000 signatures reached
To: Baroness Barran, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for School System
Petition the Government to fund the plans for rebuilding Tiverton High School in Devon
Tiverton High School has been overlooked since being a priority under Building Schools for the Future in 2009 – and is now desperate for a new school building. With outline planning and a secured site it requires the Government to fund the £40m build, a bid that is supported by Devon County Council.
Hundreds of children are being failed if a new a school is not built quickly. The school requires 26% additional pupil capacity, with forecast Sept 2023 shortfall of 135 pupils. The school is in a Flood Zone 3 site – with a high probability of flooding and associated H&S risks. The school has 20.43% students requiring SEND support, nearly 8% more than the national average, on a site that was not made to accommodate children with additional needs. A new build will avoid £16m that needs to be spent on urgent refurbishment of a school that's not fit for purpose and could never meet the needs above regardless of spend.
Outline planning for a new building overcomes ALL the issues, on a secured site for relocation. Government has not committed to fund the build - but now it is necessary and action must be taken for the sake of the children and out community. We have waited long enough.
Hundreds of children are being failed if a new a school is not built quickly. The school requires 26% additional pupil capacity, with forecast Sept 2023 shortfall of 135 pupils. The school is in a Flood Zone 3 site – with a high probability of flooding and associated H&S risks. The school has 20.43% students requiring SEND support, nearly 8% more than the national average, on a site that was not made to accommodate children with additional needs. A new build will avoid £16m that needs to be spent on urgent refurbishment of a school that's not fit for purpose and could never meet the needs above regardless of spend.
Outline planning for a new building overcomes ALL the issues, on a secured site for relocation. Government has not committed to fund the build - but now it is necessary and action must be taken for the sake of the children and out community. We have waited long enough.
Why is this important?
Despite having plans in place and a bid supported by the local authority, Government has refused to fund the new build.
In 2009 Tiverton High School was identified as High Priority under The Building Schools for the Future (BSF) programme – with works agreed and due to start in 2012. BSF proposed a rebuild with an initial estimate of £25-30m.
In 2010 BSF ceased. In November 2010, under pressure from local campaigners. Michael Gove promised to visit the school – but this visit never happened.
In 2011 Tiverton High School was NOT selected under Priority Schools Building Programme (PSBP) phase 1.
In 2014 Tiverton High School was again NOT selected under Priority Schools Building Programme (PSBP) phase 2.
Hundreds of school were selected in front of us. The Government's 'drive by' survey (CDC) suggested the school building were adequate (class A - good) in 2018. A proper independent survey commissioned by Devon County Council in 2019 concluded a 'major difference' and that the buildings were all class C - poor (not performing as intended/major defects) or D - bad (life expired or imminent risk of failure). They reported this to the Department for Education.
The school WILL need to be rebuilt – and it should be done now. Any further delay in providing funding will lead to massive waste and a negative impact on our children’s futures.
In 2009 Tiverton High School was identified as High Priority under The Building Schools for the Future (BSF) programme – with works agreed and due to start in 2012. BSF proposed a rebuild with an initial estimate of £25-30m.
In 2010 BSF ceased. In November 2010, under pressure from local campaigners. Michael Gove promised to visit the school – but this visit never happened.
In 2011 Tiverton High School was NOT selected under Priority Schools Building Programme (PSBP) phase 1.
In 2014 Tiverton High School was again NOT selected under Priority Schools Building Programme (PSBP) phase 2.
Hundreds of school were selected in front of us. The Government's 'drive by' survey (CDC) suggested the school building were adequate (class A - good) in 2018. A proper independent survey commissioned by Devon County Council in 2019 concluded a 'major difference' and that the buildings were all class C - poor (not performing as intended/major defects) or D - bad (life expired or imminent risk of failure). They reported this to the Department for Education.
The school WILL need to be rebuilt – and it should be done now. Any further delay in providing funding will lead to massive waste and a negative impact on our children’s futures.
