New Free School for Devon

Dartmoor Multi Academy Trust is delighted to announce it will be welcoming a new Free School to its wider network of schools.

Following a successful bid to Devon County Council, the Trust will manage the new Free School presumptive for Devon, which will open in September 2022.

The Free School will be for learners with SEMH (social, emotional and mental health special needs) from the Mid Devon region, who will be allocated places by Devon County Council in conjunction with the Trust. 

The new school will be located at the Okehampton East Business Park, Stockley Mead, Okehampton and have 40 places, initially for Early Years to KS4. The school will grow year on year to accommodate up to 100 learners.

Dartmoor Multi Academy Trust is excited about welcoming the new free school into its community of family-oriented schools. As a MAT with a strong local identity, it is looking forward to using its strong local knowledge and strong local connections to support all young people – both within the Trust, in the wider area and in Devon as a whole – to reach the best possible outcomes.

The Trust is passionate not only about recognising and meeting needs in the region, but truly impacting the life chances of children and young people across Devon.

Dan Morrow, trust leader for Dartmoor Multi Academy Trust, said: ‘DMAT is delighted to have been successful with this bid and we are thrilled that such an important entitlement for our children and communities will be within the DMAT family. This will help us on our journey to be the transformational offer that we know our families so richly deserve.

‘As part of our Trust, the new free school will impact positively, not just on the learners and young people who access it, but the schools and communities from which they are drawn. ‘We’re excited to get this process underway and continue to positively expand our family of schools.’