Flood-risk Tiverton school still on Government's rebuilding list

Tiverton High School is still included in the Government’s Schools Rebuilding Programme, the Department for Education’s South West Region Group has confirmed.

Tiverton High School had expected to be in phase two of the Schools Rebuilding Programme and a letter sent to Lucy Livings, regional director of the South West Region Group has reaffirmed that commitment.

Devon County Council stated: "‘Devon County Council promoted Tiverton High School as a priority for the Government’s Schools Rebuilding Programme and it was approved in the second phase of that programme. We expect phase 2 projects to begin entering the programme from April 2025.”

In the Budget announced on 30 ^th October, Chancellor Rachel Reeves confirmed that there would be a £1.4 billion investment into a national School Rebuilding Programme.

Tiverton High School was built on a floodplain over 60 years ago and Environment Agency reports have scored regular flooding of school buildings as a “risk to life”. Moreover, the school is said to have asbestos present across various school buildings, and with a built provision of 1,300, the infrastructure cannot meet the required capacity of 1,800 pupils.

Ms Livings said in her letter: “, I can confirm that Tiverton High School has been included in the Schools Rebuilding Programme.

“Following assessment of the condition of Tiverton High school’s buildings, the department agreed that the school needed significant investment and placed it into Group 2 of the programme. This means that the rebuilding work is confirmed but will commence no earlier than April 2025. When schools come into the programme they are assessed in terms of their condition need and then a decision is made where they should sit in the programme in terms of timescales. Most of Group 1 which has started are RAAC projects. Then there is Group 2-4 with group 2 starting in April 2025 with projects gradually coming on stream over the following two years.

“Regarding Tiverton’s Ofsted judgement we can confirm that this will not impact on the timelines for work to begin on the rebuild for Tiverton High School, the SRP process will run in accordance with its timelines for schools in group 2.”

Tiverton High School was first promised a rebuild in 1999 and placed on the then-Labour Government’s priority list in 2008, but funding was later withdrawn.

Since then, MPs across the political spectrum have fought to get the school rebuilt, including MPs Neil Parish who fell out with then schools minister Gavin Williamson over a proposed rebuild, and also Richard Foord, who invited Lib Dem leaders to tour the school.

Sammy Crook, Executive Head of Tiverton High School said: “This long-awaited news is fantastic for Tiverton High School and our community. We have experienced difficulties with the tired building which puts pressure on staff and students.

“We are creative with the buildings we have but news that rebuilding work is confirmed is what our students, staff, and community has been waiting for. I will make sure we continue to provide an education that inspires students and our staff.”