Morgan Sindall has started work on a new £4.4 million primary school in Okehampton, Devon.

The new St James' Church of England Primary School is being developed on behalf of the county council to the north of Crediton Road.

Once finished, it will contain 420 primary and nursery places, primarily serving the new housing development being built to the east of Okehampton. Building work is scheduled to be complete later this year.

Nigel Whelan, area director at Morgan Sindall, said: "We're so pleased to have been appointed to deliver the new St James's Church of England Primary School, which will help to alleviate the growing demand for primary school places in Okehampton.


"The new school will be a fantastic addition to the town, ensuring that every child is given the best possible education and learning experience. We're looking forward to working closely with Devon County Council and the wider community to ensure that the new school is perfectly aligned with their vision for a highly distinctive and innovative teaching environment to serve future generations."

Devon County Council's cabinet member for schools, James McInnes, said: "A new school is urgently needed for the fast-growing town of Okehampton. The existing primary school in Okehampton is at capacity and our forecasts show increasing numbers of pupils over the next few years.

"We are delighted to be working in partnership with the Church of England on this much-needed new facility for the town."

(LM/MH)