Bishops Lydeard Church School announces £370,000 nursery expansion project
Head James Dakin with MP for Tiverton and Minehead, Rachel Gilmour
Bishops Lydeard Church School is delighted to announce the launch of a major £370,000 nursery expansion, set to significantly boost early years provision for local families.
The green light from Bishops Lydeard Parish Council means work can begin as early as February 2026, with a planned opening in September 2026.
Over recent years, demand for nursery places has consistently outstripped supply. The existing nursery on Mount Street has been oversubscribed, leading to families being placed on waiting lists and some children unable to access vital early education locally.
A coordinated funding initiative has resulted in funds from:
- Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) contributions, approved by the Parish Council on 10 December
- Bath & Wells Multi Academy Trust
- A Nursery Capital Grant from the Department for Education; outcome expected April 2026
This combined funding meets the £370,000 required to refurbish The Old School House, adjacent to the main school, creating a modern, spacious nursery with wrap-around care options.
Headteacher James Dakin said: “Bishops Lydeard Church School is thrilled by the support we have received from our community. It has been a long journey with many challenges along the way. However, this project will now have an increased impact for children in our local area, increasing spaces in our nursery, and give children the best start in life. We believe that the nursery expansion will enable more children to actively experience our vision of 'Living life in all its fullness.
“With the help of our parent team, Rachel Gilmour MP and the Parish Council, to whom we are very thankful for, we are now in a position where we can start building works in February. While we await the decision of the much-needed funding from the Department for Education nursery capital grant request, we are in a place where our dream, vision and values can start to come into a reality.”
BWMAT CEO Nikki Edwards said: “This vital expansion is a testament to what can be achieved when school, local decision makers and the Trust work together for children and families.”
Bishops Lydeard has experienced significant residential growth, with new homes on Moorland Gate and planned developments south of Greenway Road, creating growing demand for early education in the area. This new facility will help meet that need, offering wrap-around nursery care and supporting working families.”
MP for Tiverton and Minehead, Rachel Gilmour said:
“This is wonderful news for the local community in and around Bishops Lydeard, and I am delighted that our campaigning has paid off.
Earlier this week (7th January), I was lucky enough to have a tour of the school. I was very impressed by the learning taking place and by how happy the children were. I am so pleased that more children will now be able to benefit from the school’s excellent environment at the new nursery from next September.
I look forward to continuing to support Bishops Lydeard Church School in any way I can in the months and years ahead.”
Construction is set to begin in February 2026. The school will continue its application for DfE Nursery Capital Grant funding, with announcements expected in April and funds available from June 2026. With or without this additional grant, the project is fully funded and ready to move ahead.