Cranbrook’s new primary school is officially opened today

Cranbrook’s new primary school will be officially opened today (26 February). The £3.6 million St Martin’s C of E Primary, which serves the new Cranbrook community in East Devon, will be officially opened by the Bishop of Exeter, the Rt Rev Michael Langrish, and the Chairman of Devon County Council, Jerry Brook at 9am this morning.

St Martin’s will grow with the new community and will eventually accommodate 420 children with a 26-place nursery.

Every classroom is equipped with the latest Apple technology and has its own outside space. There is a purpose-built Foundation Stage, an airy and spacious hall, a library at the heart of the school and a dedicated kitchen. Outside there is a large woodland, a pond with a pontoon, a large playground and extensive playing fields.

Headteacher Tania Beard said: “St Martin’s is going to be the hub of this community and we will grow with the community. We opened our doors to our first pupils last September and we have been steadily growing ever since.

“We have incredible facilities throughout the building and a huge area of woodland with a pond and a pontoon, which we will use for pond-dipping and will be part of our Forest School. The children will grow fruit and vegetables in their outside areas and our chef will include their produce in the lunches he cooks and the other meals he will produce.

“We know that good emotional health is absolutely essential for effective learning and so we have created a Wellbeing Centre. This space will ensure that all our children, staff and parents have access to the best possible information and support so everyone can learn successfully.

“We will be working with education, health and social services through the Wellbeing Centre to help promote health and wellbeing across the community.

“We really do intend to be at the heart of the Cranbrook community and a key hub as it grows.”

Bishop Michael said: “I am delighted that a Church of England primary school and nursery is at the heart of this new community.”

Devon County Council leader John Hart said: “Too often, developers are allowed to build extensive housing estates without providing proper community facilities.

“Here the county council has worked closely with East Devon District Council, the diocese and the developers to ensure that families moving into Cranbrook have some of the community resources they need right from the start.”

East Devon District Council leader and Chair of Exeter and Heart of Devon Growth Board, Paul Diviani, said: “The future of any town is its young people and I’m delighted that St Martin’s has had a very successful, busy first term. The school is firmly establishing itself at the heart of Cranbrook’s growing community as we hoped it would.

“Cranbrook’s population is now over 200 and house building, public transport and community facilities are all happening as planned or in some cases ahead of schedule.”