Work to rebuild the 140-year-old Newton Poppleford Primary School is set to begin on Monday (July 31) after funding was confirmed on the last day of term.

Sidmouth Herald: Approved plans for the new layout of Newton Poppleford Primary School. Sidmouth HeraldApproved plans for the new layout of Newton Poppleford Primary School. Sidmouth Herald (Image: Archant)

Headteacher Stuart Vaughan said the senior leadership team would strive to minimise the impact on pupils’ education and changes will be in place when they return in September.

The Government’s Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) is footing the bill after planning permission was granted in April.

Mr Vaughan said: “This is something we have waited a long time for as a school so we are very excited that the project is about to start. We look forward to seeing progress over the next year.

“The new school will bring lots of benefits to pupils when built, not least a school hall that is fit for purpose.

Sidmouth Herald: The design for the rebuilt Newton Poppleford Primary SchoolThe design for the rebuilt Newton Poppleford Primary School (Image: Archant)

“Other benefits include having an early years’ unit, where both pre-school and reception class can share and integrate working practices to the benefit of all pupils in the early years.

“Pupils will not have to suffer the elements – whatever they bring – when going to the toilet, as they currently do.”

He said the new school hall will allow it hold whole-school assemblies comfortably, do all areas of the PE curriculum in all year groups without the use of alternative venues, and accommodate audiences properly when putting on performances. In addition, everyone will be able to sit comfortably at lunchtimes and parents will be able to attend celebration assemblies.

Mr Vaughan added: “With respect to the education of the children during the build, as an outstanding Ofsted-rated school, the senior leadership team have looked at possible impact that may occur, and have made changes to various aspects such as the beginning and end of the day, lunchtimes and for key stage 2 PE, to ensure that the high standards that school always strives for are maintained during the build.”

The development will see classes and the nursery brought together in a single two-storey building.

Sport England voiced concerns about the impact on the school’s playing fields and the proposed design was slammed by one resident as a ‘carbuncle’ on the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

But decision-maker East Devon District Council said the rebuild would deliver ‘significant community benefits’ and gave it the go-ahead.

Newton Poppleford Primary School was selected for Government funding after its condition was assessed as being in the bottom one per cent of schools nationally.