TIVERTON High School is finally set to be rebuilt after years of campaigning.

The school is one of the latest additions to the government’s school rebuilding programme, along with six others in Devon.

It was built in 1959 but many of the school’s buildings are now in a poor state of repair, while its location on a floodplain next to the River Exe makes it unsafe according to the Environment Agency.

The school was one of the main talking points during the summer’s Tiverton and Honiton by-election, won by Liberal Democrat Richard Foord who accused the Conservatives of neglecting the area – something the party denied.

After the result, then-education secretary Nadhim Zahawi tweeted: “New buildings for Tiverton High School was a big issue in the Tiverton result. We hear you; delivering on real issues like this should be our focus.”

Tiverton is among 239 more schools across country to receive funding as part of the multi-billion-pound rebuilding programme, taking the total to 400.

Tipton St John, Swimbridge Church of England Primary, Dawlish College, River Dart Academy, Tavistock College and Whipton Barton Infants and Nursery School are the others announced in Devon.

The new buildings will be more energy efficient for future winter resilience and net-zero in operation, with old facilities replaced by modern education environments including new classrooms, sports halls and dining rooms.

Education secretary Gillian Keegan said: “Education is a top priority for this government.

“That is why, despite facing challenging economic circumstances, we are investing a record amount in our schools and colleges.

“The announcement will transform schools across the South West and ensure they are fit for the future.”

Mr Foord told the Local Democracy Reporting Service he is “delighted that we’ve got to this stage,” but added: “I don’t regard it as being over the line, however.

“I don’t think we would have seen this announcement had it not been for my by-election win, but also the fantastic campaigning that’s been going on since by Liberal Democrat activists and by the Save Our Tivvy High group.

“But I’m cautious also, because this is an announcement and we’ve been here before with announcements and I think what we want to see actually, which will be even more convincing, is for work to start on building a new school and, better still, a ribbon-opening ceremony.”

Devon County Council’s cabinet member for children’s services, Councillor Andrew Leadbetter (Conservative, Wearside and Topsham), said: “We have been working closely with Tiverton High School and Tipton St John Primary School for a number of years to highlight the real need for the schools to be rebuilt.

“I’m delighted that the Department for Education has recognised that need and included the projects in the national school rebuilding programme.

“We will now continue to campaign with the school, governors and parents to ensure that they are completed as soon as possible.”

Councillor Richard Chesterton (Conservative, Tiverton West) told “Devon Live”: “This is exciting for our community and will benefit generations of local school children to come, both from the town and surrounding areas.

“It will allow the school to build on the excellent reputation they already have and deliver a state-of-the-art learning environments for pupils.”

A date for when work will start has yet to be announced.

Ollie Heptinstall

LDRS