Our School

Bere Alston is one of the oldest village primary schools in Devon.  It is set in the heart of a busy rural village which boasts two churches, a doctors’ surgery, and collection of shops including a chemist, Post Office and food stores.

In 1665 Sir John Maynard, a famous Parliamentary Lawyer, opened a school for boys. This building was originally a house for a Master and school room for 10 boys of the parish – it now houses our staffroom, Year 6 classroom and the Special Needs Room.

In 1853 the Maynard School was used as a Girls’ and Infants’ school.  The boys had their own school (now the church hall).

In 1910 the Devon County Education Department bought a piece of land next to the Maynard building and built the Boys’ school.  The wall that separated the Boys’ and Girls’ school still stands.

In 1995/96 a new extension was added to the existing building which provides the school with 6 classrooms and a Community Sports Hall.  One of the classrooms is now an I.T. suite.

We also have very good outdoor facilities.  These include a large playing field, two large playgrounds, environmental / pond area and a quiet area for children to sit.