THE chair of Devon Heartlands Community Group is calling for residents to give their views on how a new school for the town should operate. The Rev Philip Wagstaff told a meeting on Tuesday night that he would like parents and others in the community to give their views on how the new school can continue to give the good education currently provided by the existing primary and the college. Mr Wagstaff is chair of Devon Heartlands, which meets monthly to gather views from the community on matters that affect Okehampton. The meeting at Okehampton Primary, was attended by parents, schools and community representatives. They heard that legislation now demands that where a new school is needed because of a growing population, there should be a competition as to who should run it. Under this process, any group or organisation is able to make a proposal to establish the new primary school in Okehampton. A public notice was published in the national press and on the county council's website before Christmas, inviting proposers for the new school to come forward. The school will not open until 2010, but bids need to be submitted by April 2008. Proposers may include parents and community groups, colleges, education charities, religious groups and existing schools. As the organisation delegated to chair the bid selection process, Devon County Council is not permitted to submit a bid, unless there is a groundswell of opinion in Okehampton that this is what the community wants. Those at the meeting were asked: 'Does Okehampton want the new primary school to be run and controlled by the community and Devon County Council or by an outside body?' A strong feeling was expressed at the meeting that the proposed new school should complement the existing school provision in the town. Mr Wagstaff, said: 'There was a strong feeling expressed that either the local authority, or the community, should come forward as a proposer for the new school. 'This will only happen if Devon County Council is made aware that this is the feeling of Okehampton and the surrounding areas. 'We need to get this done as soon as possible as time is agianst us.' He added that everyone who attended the meeting felt that, in a market town like Okehampton, the necessity to hold a competition could create a divide in the educational opportunities for primary school children and division within the community. This echoes comments made by Okehampton mayor Tony Leech, in last week's Times, who said the new school 'needs to strengthen the community, not divide it'. Mr Wagstaff and Brian Cunningham, headteacher at Okehampton Primary, are asking parents and other members of the community to express their views on how the new school can continue to provide the good education currently provided by Okehampton Primary and the college. Anyone with strong views on the subject is urged to contact Mr Wagstaff, either emailing [email protected]">[email protected] or through the Times email, marked 'FAO Philip Wagstaff', [email protected]">[email protected]
