Education milestone for Cranbrook

The first students started their classes at the new Cranbrook Education Campus on Thursday 3 September, a brand new ‘all through’ school for pupils aged between two and 16 run by The Ted Wragg Trust.

The school opened with around 60 places filled in the Nursery, 17 primary school students and 31 Year 7 students. The classrooms are being opened in phases, with more space used in line with student numbers as the community continues to grow.

Moira Marder, Executive Head Teacher at the Ted Wragg Trust said: “It’s so exciting to be part of the inception at this new school, particularly, the all through nature, providing consistency and continuity for children and young people of all abilities and backgrounds in Cranbrook.

It means there will be no transition turmoil for the students as they progress through their education, enabling us to build relationships with parents from the start and providing many more opportunities for high class education.”

“The school has been built for 420 primary pupils plus early years and the secondary will be able to expand to over 1,000 places when fully built.”

The Education Campus has been made possible through a funding package from the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) who invested £20 million for infrastructure in phase 2 of
Cranbrook, £14m of which to support the construction of the new secondary school and a second primary school.

Councillor Paul Diviani, Leader of East Devon District Council said: "This is truly a historic occasion for East Devon. As the newest all through school in Devon to provide both primary and secondary education, Cranbrook residents will have access to the latest educational facilities providing the opportunity to reach the highest levels, whether academic, technical or vocational.”

Steve Jackson, Senior Area Manager at the Homes and Communities Agency added: "For the HCA, it’s not just about building homes, it’s about building places that people want to
live in. By providing significant investment up front, we could ensure that schools were built before people moved in, giving them the reassurance that the new community would work for them.”

"As the community develops, the schools will grow, creating a thriving place to bring up a family. As the doors open this week, I wish the teachers, families and new students all the success for the future.”

Devon County Council’s Cabinet member for schools, Cllr James McInnes, said: “I’m delighted to welcome the new Cranbrook campus to the family of Devon schools. We’ve
worked very closely with the Ted Wragg Trust on developing this innovative educational campus for pupils aged from two to 16 which will provide a 21st century learning environment for Cranbrook children. It’s the result of very close cooperation between the public and private sectors in Devon that will only serve to enhance the facilities which are available, not only for the young people of Cranbrook but for the entire community.”

Cranbrook Education Campus is the second school to open in Cranbrook, St Martin’s Primary School opened in September 2012 when there less that 60 homes in Cranbrook, there is now over 1000 homes.

Also this autumn, neighbourhood shops will be opening opposite Cranbrook’s Younghayes Centre, with the new Co-operative Store opening on 18 September.

For more information about the Cranbrook Education Campus visit www.cranbrookeducationcampus.org.uk/