CAPTION: Children from Reception and Nursery on their first day at the new school
School Leaders and Parish Vicar ‘Proud’ and ‘Thrilled’ as New CofE Academy Opens in Paignton
A brand-new Church of England school in Paignton opened its doors to its first pupils on Wednesday 8 September.
On their first day, children enjoyed reading stories and getting creative
After many years of meticulous planning, the children in Reception and Nursery joined Julie Edwards, Head of Academy, Vicky Grant, Teacher, and Mandy May, Administrator, for their first day at St Michael’s Church of England Academy.
The early years provision (Reception and Nursery) is designed to promote confidence and independence with a focus on developing the children’s communication and language and early reading skills.
The children enjoyed making new friends and reading stories together as well as being creative and exploring the areas inside and outside.
Julie Edwards, Head of Academy said, “We are so proud to have opened our new school in Paignton.
Julie Edwards, Head of the new St Michael’s CofE Academy in Paignton
“It is such a wonderful opportunity to open a brand-new Church of England Academy and build it year on year; the children and families who have joined us will be the ones who help shape the way our school develops for future generations.
“Our vision is to provide a happy, loving and nurturing environment where all have the confidence to fulfil their hopes and aspirations.
“We believe our children’s future is created every day, every moment counts.”
St Michael’s has been welcomed to the area by the new vicar to the Parish of Paignton, Father Neil Knox who said, “I’m thrilled that we have got a new school with the demands of an ever-growing area and I’m very excited to be involved from the early stage with the brand new headteacher in building that relationship with them.
So far, children attending the school are from the early years provision which is designed to promote confidence and independence
“We have also got the brand-new Bay Church which is opening at Easter and so we will forge a relationship that involves not just the parish church but also the new Bay Church which is targeting young people and young families.”
Emma Bone, Director of Education at the Learning Academy Partnership, said, “We are delighted to be working in partnership with the families, church and local community of Paignton.
“We believe that by working together we can create a truly special school which will not only be central in the local community but will also benefit from being part of our wider School Trust.”
St Michael’s is the newest primary school within the Learning Academy Partnership, which now has 10 primary schools and nurseries based in Devon and Torbay.
Some of the school building is still under construction but learning has begun
The Learning Academy Partnership is a high performing Trust of schools who provide an ‘exceptional’ education to pupils across the South West.
Tracey Cleverly, Trust Lead (CEO) for the Learning Academy Partnership, added, “The journey of the school began in 2014 as an application on paper.
“To now see children and teachers flourishing in a wonderful environment is such a privilege. Our School Trust is proud to be serving the community of Paignton and the future generation of children.”