New school to welcome first pupils in September!

St James Church of England Primary and Nursery School in Okehampton is preparing to welcome its first reception pupils. 

Opening in September 2018, the school will be based in the grounds of Okehampton Primary until its new building is ready for occupation in early 2019. 

The school is already setting its own traditions, starting with the first ever Feast of St James, which bought together all members of the school community to share an informal lunch. The children enjoyed party games and helped cut a cake made specially to mark the occasion. 

The first cohort will benefit from exceptional staff to pupil ratios and a curriculum that is tailored to their specific interests. There will be an emphasis on taking learning outdoors and children will enjoy a variety of activities such as nature walks, kite flying, pond dipping and forest school. 

Head of school Suzie Stevens said: ‘It was wonderful to welcome everyone to the Feast of St James, and lovely to see the children already feeling so at home in their new school. Whilst we are looking forward to being in our new building, a school is more than bricks and mortar and through events like this, we are already developing a sense of identity and community from which to grow the school.’

Chair of Governors, John Searson, director of education for the Diocese of Exeter, said:

‘We know how important this new provision is for Okehampton’s growing number of children and families. Our ability to open this school so quickly, after years of expectation, has only been made possible through the excellent support and encouragement we have had on the ground from the local governing board of Okehampton Primary, the directors of the Dartmoor Multi Academy Trust, the county council, town council and local churches. We thank them all and look forward to even closer collaboration once we are open!’

The school is accepting admissions to reception until the start of term, after which applications can be made via the in-year admissions process. For more information, please contact the school at admin@stjamesokehampton.co.uk