Simon Jupp MP meets the Department for Education in Tipton St John and calls for urgent relocation of school following recent flooding

East Devon’s MP Simon Jupp met with a senior government official from the Department for Education in Tipton St John on Thursday 22nd June to review options for the new site for the school.

In December, the Department for Education confirmed the necessary funding to build the school in a safe location would come from the government’s School Rebuilding Programme.

Flash flooding in May led to the evacuation of students and staff by the fire service a urgent meeting was held with Education Minister Baroness Barran and the issue was raised again in Parliament with Schools Minister Nick Gibb MP.

During the visit with senior government officials, it was urged that the Department should explore every possible option to keep the school in the village while ensuring that the safety of children and staff is treated as a priority. 

Alongside Simon Niles (Strategic Planning for Children’s Service, Devon County Council), Richard Power (Schools Surveyor, Diocese of Exeter), Sarah Walls (Chair of the Governing Board, Otter Valley Federation) and Amanda Fulford (Executive Headteacher, Tipton St John Primary School), issues discussed included the current condition and position of Tiptop St John Primary School with Justinian Marr, Project Manager for the Department for Education’s School Rebuilding Division.

Simon Jupp, MP for East Devon, said: "Action is needed now more than ever following recent flooding, which led to the evacuation of students and staff from Tipton St John Primary School. I’ve been working hard to ensure that every possible option to keep the school in the village is assessed whilst prioritising the safety of students and staff. I’m pleased to have helped secure a visit from the Department for Education within weeks of the recent flooding. I will continue to press for the urgent relocation of the school so we can find it the safe and long-term future it deserves.”