Consultation: Proposed Expansion of Axminster Community Primary Academy School

Axminster Community Primary Academy, at the request of Devon County Council, is proposing to increase capacity from 240 to 315 places from September 2023 to ensure there are sufficient school places to support local need. The Published Admission Number (PAN) would increase from 30 to 45, if this proposal is approved.

Up to approximately 1500 new homes were planned for Axminster in the adopted East Devon Local Plan 2013 – 2031, including 650 dwellings at an urban extension to the east of the town. Some of the housing has been delivered or is on site.

To accommodate a permanent increase to a capacity of 315 places, it is proposed to build a new two storey extension with accommodation to comprise teaching spaces, studio, group room and ancillary accommodation. Internal remodelling will also take place to improve internal circulation and a new medical room, as well as the provision of additional hard play and soft landscape.

The capital costs of the new classroom block would be funded by Devon County Council (DCC) and funding has been approved in DCC’s Capital Programme of circa £2.3 million. The new classroom block is subject to full planning consent.

Further information is available under ‘Consultation method’ below.

The Academy School highly value the views of the community and now seek your views regarding the proposal.

As the School is an Academy Trust, the decision-maker for the expansion rests with the Regional Department for Education Directors (RDD), which is part of the Department for Education (DfE). The School will submit information gathered from this consultation to the RDD as part of its application for the increased capacity.

You can respond to the consultation by:
emailing: axminsteroffice@acornacademy.org

or by writing to:
Consultation on proposed expansion
Axminster Community Primary Academy
Stoney Lane
Axminster
Devon
EX13 5BU

Please note that all comments will be properly considered, but we will not send individual responses to any specific points raised. Consultation responses will be shared with the Governing Board and the DfE’s Regional Education Directors.

The closing date for responses is 29 November 2022.

• Axminster Primary Academy Consultation Letter