Devon County Council is consulting on the future of Shaugh Prior Primary School which includes a proposal to close the school from 31 August 2026. This consultation is being undertaken in response to falling pupil numbers, educational standards and viability concerns.

 Shaugh Prior Primary School is a small, rural school for children aged 4–11 maintained by Devon County Council. It has been under-subscribed for several years, and currently only has 2 pupils on roll, who since September 2025 have been educated off-site at Cornwood Primary School within the federation. This arrangement was made to ensure access to a broad and effective curriculum and for the children to interact with peers of their age.

A review of area health authority data which provides the number of 0-4 year olds living in the school’s catchment area shows very low numbers of pre-school aged children. Parental preference for admission to the school has been low in recent years.  There is limited housing development in the village and the wider catchment area and no planned development within the Plymouth and South West Devon Joint Local Plan to 2034.

The decision to consult on the future of the school has not been made lightly but is being brought forward due to the low demand for school places, school standards, and the challenges the school faces in delivering the curriculum to such a small number of children.

No decision to close the school has been made.  A statutory process is being followed and is a legal requirement.

We welcome your views on the proposed closure or any alternative suggestions.  Please submit your response by 20 February 2026 via:

 

• Post: Shona Meek, School Place Planning Service, Room 248, Devon County Council, County Hall, Topsham Road, Exeter, EX2 4QG.

 All responses will be shared with decision-makers and the Federation’s senior leadership team and governors. Individual replies will not be issued, but a FAQ document will be published online.