Maiden Beech Academy re-opens as primary academy

Maiden Beech Academy served the community as a Middle School for over 50 years and in that time saw thousands of local students through their education before they entered upper school.

The local authority made the decision in 2021 that the local three-tier education system would change, and this meant the conversion of local schools thus resulting in an age range switch for Maiden Beech, which said farewell to over 300 children and 20 staff last July.

A dramatic transformation of classroom spaces and playground facilities over the summer enabled the very first cohort of Reception children to start at the school in September, along with the, now, Year 6 children who complete their primary phase at Maiden Beech Primary Academy.

The new early years’ classrooms are bright and purposeful with interconnecting spaces and outside areas with an option to access forest school, the open playing fields, and the large indoor hall with their teachers.

Mr Carl Winch, whom many families will recognise from his years as headteacher of Maiden Beech Academy, was on hand to greet the children as they joined the school and said: “We have created a truly lovely learning environment for our new pupils that combined with the facilities we already had in school give the children a real head start to their primary education and will prepare them well for the future.”

Mr Winch continued: “We have a ‘good’ Ofsted rating and combined with the expert staff at Maiden Beech we are in a very strong position to ensure the children of Crewkerne and the surrounding villages have a great option as they begin their educational journey.’

Paul Strickland, a renowned children’s author who has been described as a ‘creative powerhouse’, was delighted to officially open the school as a primary.

Mr Strickland said: “This school has a wonderful feel and you can sense the energy and enthusiasm from everyone here so I’m excited to be cutting the ribbon today.”