DCC is consulting on the future of Kingswear Primary School

Devon County Council is consulting on the future of Kingswear Primary School after years of declining numbers of pupils. 

Devon County Council is consulting on the future of Kingswear Primary School as they currently have "had no children on roll since the beginning of the academic year September 2023" and "a declining roll for a number of years". 

The Academy Trust has been in discussion regarding the "viability of the school for a number of years with the delivery of a full and balanced curriculum having been difficult with such a small and decreasing number of children". DCC  has said the school has "received no preferences for admission into the Reception Class for September 2024".

The consultation website states: "As Kingswear Primary is an academy school, it is the Secretary of State who makes the decision regarding the future of the school. Devon County Council has a presumption against the closure of schools unless on educational grounds, however this will be a decision made by the Secretary of State for Education."

The closure of an academy school must follow a 6 stage process.

Stage 1: consideration of closure.

Stage 2: seeking in principle agreement.

Stage 3: in principle decision to close.

Stage 4: seeking a substantive decision on closure by the Secretary of State

Stage 5: substantive closure decision by the Secretary of State, followed by a ‘Listening Period’ held by the Academy Trust

Stage 6: approval and implementation of closure

The consultation says that the "Department for Education has received an in principle decision from the minister (Stage 3) to close Kingswear Primary School".

Because Kingswear Primary is classified as a Rural school, Devon County Council are being asked to agree to the closure. The closure proposal is scheduled to be discussed at a meeting of Devon County Council’s Cabinet.

You can respond to Devon Council Council by emailing: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.or by post to: Shona Meek, School Place Planning, Room 120, Devon County Council, County Hall, Topsham Road, Exeter, Devon, EX2 4QG.

All responses must be received by the closing date of 22 March 2024.

Devon County Council will update the website.

If you need this document in a different format or language, please contact Devon County Council’s School Consultation team on 01392 382057 or via email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.