History of Bickleigh School

bickleigh bridge

Our School was founded in 1841 as a National School. The school moved to its current location in 1960 to expand and serve a larger geographical catchment area. It was at this point the school became a Voluntarily Controlled Church of England School, managed by Devon County Council (DCC).

At the time, a cedar built one storey block and temporary ‘Devon Lady’ classroom housed approximately 60 children. Increasing pupil numbers and the re-organisation of Tiverton schools to a Primary/Secondary system led the DCC to remodel the old building, adding a more permanent four-classroom block to the rear of the school. In 2010, a purpose built Foundation Stage Unit was constructed to accommodate increasing numbers of school-age pupils and Bickleigh-on-Exe Pre-school Ltd.

Bickleigh Pre School Logo 2016

Following a successful partnership with Bickleigh-on-Exe Preschool Ltd, and subsequent increase in numbers, in September 2018, the two organizations joined and the school changed its age range to include two, three and four year olds.

On January 2012 the school converted to become an independent academy.  On September 2015, the school joined a multi academy trust called Ventrus (formerly The Primary Academies Trust).

PAT logo blue background

Ventrus comprises of fifteen primary schools, one secondary and a number of wider partner schools across Devon. This partnership is based on networks of likeminded people working together on a shared area of strength, weakness or interest to facilitate understanding that secures continuous school improvement. You can find out more details by clicking on the Ventrus logo below: