Consultation:
Consultation on the future of Kingswear Primary School
If you need this document in a different format or language, please contact Devon County Council’s School Consultation team on 01392 382057 or via email: schoolconsultations@devon.gov.uk
Kingswear Primary School has had no children on roll since the beginning of the academic year September 2023. There has been a declining roll for a number of years. The Academy Trust has been in discussion regarding the viability of the school for a number of years with the delivery of a full and balanced curriculum having been difficult with such a small and decreasing number of children. The school has received no preferences for admission into the Reception Class for September 2024.
As Kingswear Primary is an academy school, it is the Secretary of State who makes the decision regarding the future of the school. Devon County Council has a presumption against the closure of schools unless on educational grounds, however this will be a decision made by the Secretary of State for Education.
The closure of an academy school must follow a 6 stage process.
Stage 1: consideration of closure.
Stage 2: seeking in principle agreement.
Stage 3: in principle decision to close.
Stage 4: seeking a substantive decision on closure by the Secretary of State
Stage 5: substantive closure decision by the Secretary of State, followed by a ‘Listening Period’ held by the Academy Trust
Stage 6: approval and implementation of closure
The Department for Education has received an in principle decision from the minister (Stage 3) to close Kingswear Primary School.
Education South West, as the academy trust for Kingswear Primary School, will conduct a Listening Period following any substantive decision on closure. In accordance with guidance from the Department for Education, the Listening Period is an opportunity for stakeholders and interested parties to be provided with information as to why the school is closing and how the closure process will operate and for stakeholders and interested parties to submit their views on how the school closure process can best be managed.
Because Kingswear Primary is classified as a Rural school, Devon County Council are being asked to agree to the closure. The closure proposal is scheduled to be discussed at a meeting of Devon County Council’s Cabinet.
Prior to discussion at Cabinet, Devon County Council welcome views on the proposed closure as well as comments from stakeholders and other interested parties as to preferred future arrangements for the catchment area for school admissions and school transport purposes should the Secretary of State make the decision to close the school.
How to Respond
You can respond to Devon County Council by:
emailing: schoolconsultations@devon.gov.uk
Or by post to: Shona Meek, School Place Planning, Room 120, Devon County Council, County Hall, Topsham Road, Exeter, Devon, EX2 4QG.
All responses must be received by the closing date of 22 March 2024.
Devon County Council will keep you informed on this website.
All responses to the consultation will be considered by Devon County Council’s Cabinet. We will not send individual responses to any specific points made. Please see Devon County Council’s Privacy Notice for further information:
www.devon.gov.uk/privacy/privacy-notices/privacy-notice-for-representations-to-school-organisation-statutory-consultations/
Email: schoolconsultations@devon.gov.uk