Education Federation Launched in Mid Devon

THREE Mid Devon primaries are launching a pioneering educational federation to maintain and improve their high standards .

The governors of Wilcombe, Sampford Peverell C of E and Hemyock Primaries have decided they want to work more closely together by forming a federation which will be known as the Children First Federation.

The governors of all three schools reached their decision following a wide-ranging consultation exercise with parents and their local communities which Tiverton People reported on in January.

The schools say the federation will ensure the continuity of strategic leadership for all three schools whilst maintaining high standards in teaching and learning.

Gary Chown will be the Executive Headteacher of all three schools with new Heads of Teaching and Learning appointed at each school.

Mr Chown took over at Wilcombe in 2004 and oversaw significant

improvements in academic standards as well as introducing

a number of innovative developments.

He has also been chairman of the 320-strong Devon Association of

Primary Heads. He said: “I am delighted that we received such overwhelming support for our proposals during the consultation.

"This federation represents a wonderful opportunity for all of us to

work together to improve outcomes for children across all the

schools.”

The new federation will have a single governing body to oversee the work of the three primaries with representatives from all three schools. But each school's unique individual ethos and values will be maintained under the federation.

Mr Chown and the chairs of governors of Wilcombe, Alison Rice, Sampford Peverell, Jim Pope, and Hemyock, Hugh Whittaker, say federation will have a range of benefits for the schools and all the pupils including:

• Improving outcomes for every pupil and providing wider opportunities for them to take part in joint projects

• Securing and developing successful leadership for the future

• Providing more staff development opportunities which will enable the schools to keep and develop valued staff and make better use of individual staff expertise

• Enabling pupils to meet and work as part of larger groups