Closure of Chittlehampton C of E Primary School

Update June 2022

Devon County Council’s Cabinet on 8 June 2022 approved the proposal to close Chittlehampton C of E Primary School from the 31 August 2022.  This decision had to go through a call-in period. Following the completion of the call-in period this decision was ratified 15 June 2022.

Following the statutory proposal brought forward by the Governing Body to close Chittlehampton C of E Primary School and the completion of the statutory process, Devon County Council’s Cabinet was asked to consider the responses received during the statutory consultation, as well as the reasons for bringing the proposal forward.

The decision was made with great sadness by the Cabinet but, in considering the Director’s Report and the Impact Assessment, it was felt the closure to be in the best educational interests of the children in the future as the school is regrettably neither educationally nor financially sustainable with such low numbers of children on roll which is not forecast to improve.

The Report highlighted that the school had been under-subscribed for a number of years and pupil numbers had consistently fallen with only 15 pupils on roll with 5 children due to leave in July and only one preference had been received for September 2022.  The Report outlined the current and forecast demographic picture with regard to very low numbers of pre-school aged children living in area as well as the small amount of allocated development. The Cabinet Report noted there was sufficient capacity across local schools to accommodate the children and that all other options had been considered to prevent closure of the school.

Here is a link to the Cabinet Report, Impact Assessment and minutes: https://democracy.devon.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=133&MId=4452&Ver=4

The papers are under Agenda item number 173.

Archived Information:

It is with much regret that the Governing Body of the Devon Moors Federation is consulting on the future of Chittlehampton C of E Primary (Voluntary Aided) School.

The decision to consult on the future of the school has not been made lightly but is being brought forward in light of the low demand for school places and the challenges the school faces in delivering the curriculum to such a small number of children.

The school has been under-subscribed for a number of years and pupil numbers fall significantly short of the school’s published admission number. The school currently has only 15 pupils on roll. Five of the fifteen pupils are in Year 6 and will be leaving the school in July.  There is only one first preference for admission to the school in September 2022.

The consultation document is available on the school’s website and via the link below.

An Information Session is being held on 3rd March 2022 from 3:30pm to 6:30pm. This is not being run in the format of a public meeting but will be a drop-in session and will give an opportunity for individuals to raise any specific concerns. You are welcome to attend between 3:30pm to 6:30pm. Some attendees may be virtual. Please ensure you have had a negative Covid lateral flow test before arriving at the school.

The Governing Body welcomes comments on the future of the school. Please email the school via the Clerk to Governors on clerk@devonmoorsfederation.devon.sch.uk or

Write to: Clerk to Governors, Chittlehampton C of E Primary School, The Square, Chittlehampton, Umberleigh, Devon, EX37 9QW and mark for the attention of the Chair of the Governing Board.

The closing date for responses is Monday 4^th April 2022.

Please note that all responses will be shared with Devon County Council and the Cabinet who will make the final decision, if the proposal proceeds.