The trustees of The White Horse Federation, in conjunction with the Local Governing Body of Devizes School (“the school”), are proposing to sell approximately 3.29 acres (1.33 hectares) of land that is currently owned by the school to a residential developer.
By doing so, the school hopes to release a significant amount of capital to reinvest into maintaining and modernising school infrastructure; enhancing school and community sports and performing arts facilities; and working more closely with the local community to support better physical, mental and economic well being. It is estimated that the investment could be in the region of £3.5m - £5m depending on planning permission and the prevailing market.
If approved, the entirety of all sums raised will be reinvested into the school so they can re-design sports facilities and learning spaces fit for a 21st century education.
As such, the trustees have a duty, and indeed a welcome opportunity, to consult with all relevant stakeholders on this matter. Here, you will find details of the proposal and have the opportunity to express any views before a final decision is made by the trustees.
If approved, the entirety of all sums raised will be reinvested into the school so they can re-design sports facilities and learning spaces fit for a 21st century education.
As such, the trustees have a duty, and indeed a welcome opportunity, to consult with all relevant stakeholders on this matter. Here, you will find details of the proposal and have the opportunity to express any soundings before a final decision is made by the trustees.
All interested stakeholders will be able to join an online event to hear further information about the proposal. Please register here: https://forms.gle/fFx9NYW9mTrEdvzP6
You are invited to express your thoughts by 5pm 15/08/22. Further details of the process can be found in the Process section. More information about the online form can be found on the Invitation to respond page.
On Monday 18th July at 6pm Secondary Director, Christopher Belli will be giving a presentation about the proposal and the positive impact this funding will bring to Devizes School. To register for the live-streamed event or to watch the replay please click here: https://www.crowdcast.io/e/jmh...
Background
Devizes School was built in 1773 and has been extended at various times between the 1930s and the 2010s. Despite the White Horse Federation investing £2.9m in capital funds for infrastructure projects, maintenance and repairs, the school still needs additional investment to improve its ageing sports and learning facilities.
Benefitting from significant open space that amounts to more than 20 acres (8.1 hectares) - excluding buildings, roads, and car parks - the school is now proposing to sell approximately 3.29 acres (1.33 hectares) of land. Currently, a significant portion of the land to be sold is currently unusable for sports. Following the sale, the school would actually gain 0.06 acres of usable land for our sporting facilities. This is why Sport England are able to support this project because there will be no loss of playing fields at the school.
The Department for Education strictly states that any monies raised from the disposal of land must be reinvested into the school. It’s estimated that this investment would be approximately £3.5m - £5m depending on planning permission and the prevailing market.
We have had positive discussions about the consultation with elected members of Wiltshire Council, and have support from the Devizes School senior leadership team, governors, and PE department as well as national sporting associations.
FAQs
Why is Devizes School selling this land?
The land we propose to sell, although belonging to the school, is currently used for two pitches. However, there are adjacent spaces where these two pitches can be moved.
Ultimately, the land is excess to requirements and, as such, incurs costs in maintenance and upkeep for no added value to the school, its students, or community. This therefore detracts from the revenue available to improve standards at the school - from infrastructure to educational initiatives.
By releasing this capital, our school can focus its investment where it is needed most, without compromising our outdoor sports facilities.
How will my data be used during the consultation period?
Please rest assured that while we require your name with your comment in order to ensure the authenticity of comments received, we will ensure anonymity of any information subsequently made public.
When will the findings of the consultation be published, and where can I access this?
A summary of the findings from the consultation and the decision taken by the trustees will be published on the school’s website. It is expected that this will be within approximately one month of closure of the consultation period, depending on the extent and nature of comments received.
What will the £3.5 - £5 million be spent on?
It’s simple — the DfE requires every penny made from the land sale will be reinvested into Devizes School.
The additional funding will be spent on:
- The latest educational resources.
- Updating our ageing facilities, including enhancing our sporting provision.
- Reconfiguring teaching spaces and refurbishing classrooms to further improve student learning.
- Creating state-of-the-art IT infrastructures.
- Rejuvenating social areas to enhance the social development of our students.
These changes will empower students to fulfil their potential and achieve even more highly in exams. As a result, they will be able to secure the best apprenticeships and jobs, and places at the best universities. It will also ensure the next generation who come to Devizes School also have an outstanding learning environment.
In short, these changes will provide brighter futures for the young people of Devizes for many years to come.
How will this development affect green spaces?
Everyone at Devizes School is passionate about being environmentally friendly, and we are committed to ensuring we only contribute positively to the environment during this process.
We will work with independent consultants to advise on the impact of the development and look where we can to mitigate any loss and where possible we will look to work with other bodies such as the Wildlife Trust to support their work and improve environments. This will ensure that the development does not pose a threat to any local flora or fauna.
Due to access requirements, some trees may need to be felled. However, we are committed to replanting a large number of trees in order to replace any lost. In fact, it is our intention to use the replanted trees to section off the plot of land sold from the remaining field, creating a natural barrier for our school grounds.
Will the development affect sports provision in the future?
The truth is, the land we are proposing to sell is currently underused. It doesn’t hold equal value to the positive impact the investment in the school will make. In fact, it is costing us money in maintenance and upkeep. While it’s lovely to have ample green space, the land is having a negative impact. The money we can raise by selling it will have a hugely positive impact that benefits the people of Devizes now and well into the future.
While the proposed land sale will mean that our current pitches will need to be realigned, there will be no loss of playing fields. These new facilities will be dual-purpose, which ensures that our sports provision continues to help our students practise sport and develop their skills.
The funds raised by the land sale will be used to improve facilities and service across our school, including our sporting facilities. These sporting improvements will not only help our students develop a love of PE and exercise, but also allow members of the community to keep fit and pursue their own sporting interests.
We recognise it is vital that our school remains able to host sporting events and fixtures. To that end, we will be working closely with our PE department to ensure that all sporting events, such as school sports days, and sports fixtures are not hindered by the land sale. During the reconfiguration of our sports facilities, this will remain at the forefront of our minds.
These improved facilities will also empower us to deliver niche opportunities that aren’t currently available in the town. We will be working with Devizes sports associations, community leaders, and sports providers to extend the range of sports and recreational activities that can be enjoyed in Devizes.
How will the wider Devizes community benefit from the improvements?
This investment isn’t just about our students; it’s about the wider Devizes community as well.
The development could provide much needed affordable housing which will allow young people to be able to afford to live in the area. We will work with the developer to ensure where possible the new housing is carbon neutral and not having an impact on the environment.
With a first-class secondary school on their doorstep, families would no longer need to travel out of town every day to take their children to school. Our roads would be quieter; our air would be cleaner; and our children would be healthier, walking to school every day.
We will also be working with Sport England and other community sports specialists to give the people of Devizes access to our exceptional sporting facilities during the evenings and at weekends. Staying active has social benefits as well as having a positive impact on the mental and physical health of members of our community.
With these changes, Devizes School will become the heartbeat of the town, where children go to learn and the community joins together to socialise and stay healthy.
How tough is education funding at the moment?
Funding is tough now, but the uncertainty of future funding is equally difficult to cope with. We have to be proactive in finding ways to fund the creativity, innovation, and improvements that our students deserve.
We are extremely ambitious for our students and their families, and hoping that the funding challenge will resolve itself would be irresponsible. We are determined to continue improving, but without a proactive approach to finance, we are unlikely to have the funding to do so.
Funding isn’t just a problem for schools, but also for towns and their councils. The improvements at Devizes School and the improved opportunities for young people in Devizes will have an impact on the town itself. With improved education comes improved prospects of employability, reducing unemployment in the town. This drives economic prosperity, with people in Devizes having more disposable income and living more financially comfortable lives. Their money will be spent at businesses in the town, creating a cyclical economy that doesn’t rely heavily on outside funding.
Underfunding is an ongoing challenge faced by everyone involved in the UK education system. While we are assessing our options for long-term financial sustainability, we are faced with the prospect of our school building ageing rapidly, and a more immediate solution is necessary. The funds raised by the land sale will be invested in carrying out significant improvements to school infrastructure and facilities, as well as maintenance, to aid in the delivery of the quality education our students deserve and expect. We do not propose that this method of fundraising is a long-term funding solution, and we remain committed to identifying financial strategies that are effective in the long term.
What are the stages of this process?
Consultation
A consultation period is required to gather the opinions of those involved with the school and who may, in some way, be affected by the land sale. We gathered opinions from students and their parents, school staff, the local community, and a number of organisations. Following the end of the official consultation period, we have also produced a list of responses to the frequently asked questions that were asked, and these can be found on our website.
Department for Education Review
Devizes School is required to submit a thorough document to the Department for Education (DfE) containing various details about the land sale, as well as all the feedback gathered during the official consultation period. The DfE conducts a comprehensive review of the business case, staying in communication with our school throughout. During this process, Devizes will also continue to consult with focus groups and stakeholders throughout the time that the Business Case is being reviewed. Upon concluding the review, which can last between eight and eighteen weeks, the DfE will make a final decision on whether or not to permit the land sale.
Development of Land
If the land purchaser’s planning application is accepted, they will begin the development of the land. The time scale for this final stage of the process is contingent on several factors and could last several months after the formal sale of land has been completed
Will the development cause an increase in local traffic?
At Devizes School, we already have stringent safety measures in place to ensure that our students are able to navigate traffic and crossings without danger. These measures have proven to be extremely successful and will remain in place to continue protecting our students.
As part of their plans, the developer who purchases the land will be required to meet stringent highway regulations, to ensure that any increase to local traffic will have a minimal impact on the school and the surrounding community. Devizes School will work closely with the development company to ensure access strategies are efficient and effective.
Will the land sale and subsequent construction have a negative impact on students?
At Devizes School, we remain committed to ensuring that our students receive the best education in a truly safe environment. These factors are the two foremost motivations behind the land sale, and we are determined to keep them at the heart of our decision-making. That is why we will work closely with the purchaser of the land to ensure any construction work that takes place has a minimal impact on the safety, concentration, and learning of our students. We will also take measures to ensure that the end result of the development does not compromise the safety or privacy of our students.
