SB 4154 Web

Construction of sherford’s first primary school now well underway
Sherford’s first primary school, Sherford Vale, is now one step closer to
welcoming pupils, with construction of the main buildings continuing to
progress quickly. Marking a monumental milestone in the development of the
Devon community, local dignitaries, members of the Sherford Consortium and the
first Sherford Vale teachers met at the new town to celebrate the occasion.
Located at the heart of Sherford, and with construction starting in Autumn 2017, the
first permanent school structures are in the process of being completed, including the
main school building, first classrooms, as well as an outside play area. With the recent
addition of a new roof, works will also soon focus on the school’s interior, with doors
set to open to pupils from September 2018.
420 primary places will be available to children between the ages of 2-11 at Sherford
Vale, with applications now open on the Devon County Council website. Representing
a £6m plus investment into community infrastructure, the new school is being funded
and constructed by the Sherford Consortium - the partnership of award-winning homebuilders, Bovis Homes, Linden Homes and Taylor
Wimpey – with £1m also being pledged towards its creation by Devon County Council.
The new school will be sponsored and run by the Westcountry Schools Trust (WeST), which has a proven track record in education excellence
locally, also running neighbouring Ivybridge Community College.
The first Sherford Vale teaching staff member, Miss May, along with CEO of Westcountry Schools Trust (WeST), Rob Haring, joined local
dignitaries and the Sherford Consortium onsite to celebrate the milestone.
Rob Haring CEO of WeST, said: “It is fantastic to have reached this landmark moment and to see Sherford Vale taking shape - taking us one step
closer to welcoming the first pupils. Even though Sherford Vale is still under construction, we have been very busy behind the scenes, recruiting
staff, planning and developing the school curriculum, as well as designing and launching the new school uniforms.
“Our vision is focused on academic excellence and success for all children, and over the past few months, we have been meeting with local
families to discuss their hopes for Sherford Vale. It is exciting to be at the heart of a new community in one of the region’s most picturesque
areas, and we want children to ask questions and find solutions, while making full use of the great outdoors, helping and inspiring them to grow
into confident young people.”
www.sherford.org
Summer 2018 4154 17