TWO Exmoor schools are to share the same campus from the spring term as governors continue their efforts to deliver better education and development opportunities.

Dulverton Junior School and All Saints Church of England Infants School are currently on neighbouring sites off Fishers Mead and Barns Close West.

But at the end of the present term they will both be accommodated on the more modern infant school campus, which was built in 2000 to take more than 120 pupils.

The junior school has about 65 pupils aged between seven to 11 years and was rated as ‘requires improvement’ in its last inspection by Government watchdog Ofsted, published a year ago this month.

The infant school was rated ‘good’ by Ofsted in the autumn of 2022 and has about 45 pupils aged from three to seven years.

Both are run by the Exmoor Federation, which also operates Little Owls Nursery on the infant school site.

The federation agreed 12 months ago to form a strategic partnership with The Moorland Federation, which runs schools in Porlock, Dunster, Cutcombe, Exford, Timberscombe, and Langford Budville, to allow Dulverton pupils access to more resources, knowledge, and skills.

The older Dulverton Junior School building which will be vacated next term.
The older Dulverton Junior School building which will be vacated next term. (Dulverton Junior School)

Since the partnership announcement, the Moorland Federation’s Naomi Philp has become executive headteacher of the Dulverton schools while Carys Barnett was appointed permanent head of schools, reporting to Mrs Philp.

Co-chairs of the Exmoor Federation’s governors, Bill Gash and Kate Northen said in a statement: “This move is part of a clear strategy to adapt Dulverton’s schools to the current and likely future needs of the local community, to see them led and staffed by committed, passionate professionals who share the governing body’s single focus, to ensure pupils have the best opportunities to achieve their potential while attending its schools.

“With an effective leadership team in place, with the continuing support of Somerset Council and the Diocese of Bath and Wells, the next phase of this strategy will commence in the spring term.

“In the face of increasing financial pressure, the need to meet high educational standards, and the welfare of the pupils foremost, the governing body has had to make difficult decisions.

“Given the number of pupils now attending the school and forecasts of future pupil numbers, this move is essential to secure good quality primary education in Dulverton.

“It will ensure the children receive the best care and opportunities for their education and development.

“Under one roof, it will enable the development of the teaching and learning support staff, as we look to raise the quality of education across the schools, given the priorities established after recent Ofsted inspections.

“While based primarily at the All Saints’ site, junior school pupils will continue to have access to facilities at the old building, including the pool and the multi-use games area (MUGA).

“Catering staff will continue to prepare meals for pupils using the current catering facilities.”

Mr Gash and Ms Northen said Dulverton’s extensive school sites and grounds were developed over several decades when the town had a middle school and many more pupils.

They said: “Today, the facilities and size of the grounds are no longer concordant with the number pupils in The Exmoor Federation.

“The priorities are to ensure the schools have a viable long-term future, and to this end we must make better use of the funding, people, and resources through a move to a single site.”

The governors said discussions were ongoing about the future of the junior school building and grounds, which were still owned by Somerset Council.

The council, which is struggling to avoid bankruptcy after declaring a financial emergency, will take back the property in September.

The governors said they had asked for an assurance that local communities in Dulverton and surrounding areas of Exmoor would be able to take part in consultations on how the premises would be used in future.

Mr Gash and Ms Northen said: “Discussions continue with the local authority regarding the curtilage of the school sites, to retain access to the outdoor facilities of the pool and the MUGA.”

Dulverton town councillors who discussed the changes have asked Mrs Philp to attend one of their monthly meetings to talk to them about the proposals.