Sherford Vale School and Nursery Reception September 2026 Tour Dates  – Fill in form

We discussed many topics, school and education related, and show-cased the school, new wing and learning. We also discussed the complexities and frustrations of the lack of amenities in the community, and the impact this also has. You can read and see more images in her article through this link: Rebecca celebrates Sherford Vale School 'at the heart of the community' | Rebecca Smith

Our proposed policy is on our admission page https://www.sherfordvaleschool.co.uk/page/?title=Admissions+Policy&pid=23 and you can see all policies at http://devon.cc/schoolpolicy Further information is here: www.devon.gov.uk/admissionarrangements

The consultation runs until 10 January 2025. Policies will be determined by the end of February and published in the same places by 15 March next year. You can comment at schoolsadmissionpolicy-mailbox@devon.gov.uk or by emailing the school.

The upcoming events offer something for everybody, with a blend of free seasonal arts and crafts activities for children and families, alongside a series of bookable workshops for adults to learn new skills from local artists and makers. Bookings are now open, spaces are limited and expected to prove popular.  

Designed to celebrate local talent, one of the forthcoming workshops will be hosted by a business that could not be any more ‘local’. Candles of Sherford is based in the town and run by residents Yani and David. They began their business during lockdown and have created a range of handcrafted scented candles, diffusers and wax melts inspired by the local area, including fragrances named after and influenced by Wembury Beach, Bovisand Beach and several Sherford scents.  

Sharing their skills and expertise, Yani and David will be running a candle making class, guiding guests through the process of making a candle to take home with them. Taking place at the end of November, there will be a glass of festive fizz, the opportunity to craft a Christmas gift, and buy handmade presents. As with all of the activities coming up, all materials and tuition are provided. 

New destination for events  

The creative sessions have been developed to showcase what’s on offer in the new town of Sherford, open to those visiting Sherford for the first time, members of the wider local community, and Sherford residents. The pop-up event space is located within the Linden Homes sales complex on Hercules Road. With a huge glass front and high ceilings, this is light, open and modern setting in which to try something exciting and new. 

The programme also provides opportunities to learn new skills from the area’s leading artisans and make items to take home. From painting and printing, to creating bird boxes and glass ornaments, workshop attendees can come along, meet new people, and leave with new skills and something to show from the experience. 

Peter Sadler, Managing Director of Vistry Cornwall South West, part of the Sherford Consortium, said: “Sherford is a growing town that is already proving a great place to live. We want to make sure it is an interesting and inspiring place to visit and spend time in too. In opening up this event space and creating a programme of exciting experiences, we hope this provides more reasons to visit Sherford and discover what this new town has to offer.” 

Dates for the diary 

Here is the current events programme and more events will follow in early 2025: 

Creative Club: 

• Saturday 7 December, 10am-2pm 

Christmas Craft 

A fun, free and festive activity for families. Drop in, get creative, and enjoy Christmas crafting. The session will involve making winter themed crafts to take home. Booking advised to ensure enough materials are available: book here 

• Saturday 15 March, 10am-2pm 

Spring Crafts  

Children are invited to enjoy another seasonal arts and craft session at Sherford, with all materials supplied and plenty of inspiration to create a masterpiece! Bookings will open in early 2025. 

Sherford Sessions: 

• 13 November, 6.30-9pm 

Paint & Create: a wooden bird house with artist Jayne Ashenbury 

Guests are invited to unleash their creativity to create a unique piece of art to take home or give as a gift. Using acrylic paint and wooden bird boxes, renowned local artist – Jayne Ashenbury – will help you develop a design and paint it step by step. All materials and light refreshments provided. Tickets are £30 and can be booked here 

• 23 November, 10am-1pm 

Print your own Christmas cards, gift wrap, bags & tags with Debby Mason. Discover the joy of Gelli plate printing with the talented local artist, Debby Mason. This creative and quick workshop is perfect for making your own unique cards, gift wrap, bags, and tags, an environmentally friendly alternative to your Christmas wrap this year. A starter pack of materials are supplied. Tickets are £15 and can be booked here. 

• 24 November, 3-5pm 

Christmas calligraphy guided session with Wild Sea Calligraphy 

Learn the basics of the modern calligraphy alphabet and festive phrases under the tuition of Lyndsey, a professional calligrapher, tutor and author. You will receive a calligraphy kit which includes pen, nibs, ink bottle and guide sheets. Tea and cake will be served during the session. Tickets are £40 and can be booked here. 

• 30 November, 2-3.30pm 

Candle making class with local Sherford business, Candles of Sherford 

Join Sherford residents and thriving local business, Candles of Sherford, for a masterclass in how to create your own signature scent. Yani and David will guide you through the steps, from the best wax to building a fragrance, to help you craft a candle to take home. Enjoy a glass of Christmas cheer during the afternoon. Tickets are £28 and can be booked here. 

• 5 December, 7-9pm 

Handmade watercolour bookmarks & Christmas tags with Jayne Ashenbury 

Paint tiny pictures and larger patterns that can be crafted into bookmarks and present tags, creating unique Christmas gifts for friends and family. Artist Jayne Ashenbury will supply watercolour paper and glass dipping pens to enable you to illustrate your designs in a riot of festive colours. Refreshments will be provided. Tickets are £25 and can be booked here.  

• 15 February, 10am–12.30pm 

Create a fused glass sun-catcher with Sheena of Papercutzglass designs 

Create your own unique designs on three sun-catchers. Accomplished glass artist, Sheena, will have all of the materials and tools at the ready to walk you through the process. Your designs will be taken away from the session, fired and return a week later. Tickets are £35, email Sheena to book a place: hallybonesheena@gmail.com 

For more information, future event listings, and booking links, visit www.sherford.uk/news or follow @DestinationSherford on Facebook. 

From Wednesday 2nd October onwards, both Sherford residents and the wider local community will have access to the new public pitches and high-class facilities – and will be able to hire pitches and book onto courses through a new online booking system. Located on Hercules Road, the amenities are easy to get to and include a car park, public toilets including an accessible toilet, and an on-site office for Argyle Community Trust.

The new outdoor sports facilities will be open to all and there is plenty planned with a community launch later this month. 

• All of the information is on the Sherford website: https://sherford.uk/2024/10/01/sherford-and-argyle-team-up-to-open-pitches/

• The website for booking the facilities is here: https://argylecommunitytrust.co.uk/facilities/sherford-sports-hub/

Date for your diary: there is a week of community launch events planned, including a Community Launch Day on Monday 28th October, 10am-2pm, followed by half-term activities. Argyle Community Trust will no doubt be keen for volunteers on the day, or you can just pop along to see what the new facilities are like - either way, you'd be most welcome.

Community Launch Week will take place throughout half-term from Monday 28th October to Friday 1st November, with a whole host of free or discounted activities taking place.

• Community Open Day: Monday 28th October, 10am-2pm

Residents and visitors are invited to celebrate the new partnership. A free event with no booking required, the day will provide an opportunity to experience the new facilities first-hand and offer a range of fun activities for families, including:

• Sports – football, tennis, cricket, hockey
• Face painting
• Refreshments – Argyle’s Pilgrim Pizza, ice cream
• A food donation stand for Project 35, Argyle’s social impact project, in partnership with Ginsters, aimed at tackling poverty
• A visit from Pilgrim Pete!

      Half-term Launch Week: Tuesday 29th October – Friday 1st November

Argyle Community Trust will run a variety of activities and taster sessions. Open to all, visitors are invited to have a go at tennis, kick a ball around on the astro pitch, and enjoy the new facilities. Equipment will be available to use – or participants can bring their own. The full list of events, free activities and discounted sessions will be listed on the website.

Argyle Community Trust will run various sports sessions, holiday clubs, and community outreach activities at Sherford from the new facilities. This will include an opportunity to play tennis for free at least once a week with support from qualified tennis coaches, free equipment hire, and a loyalty scheme. Information on the programme, prices and booking details will be available on the dedicated Sherford Sports Hub page.

Dylan who is running and leading the sessions is a mental health practitioner and 3 times world champion dancer.

The sessions are free to attend and will have refreshments and snacks for the children and tea, coffee and biscuits for the parents.

Please use the links below to access your free tickets. There are 20 spaces on each session. Please book on ASAP.

Please click on the session links below to book spaces

· Session 1 29^th July 09.30-12

· Session 2 5^th August 12.30-15.00

· Session 3 12^th August 09.30-12

· Session 4 19^th August 12.30-15.00

We look forward to seeing you over the summer session.

The school expansion was funded by the Sherford Consortium – a partnership between Taylor Wimpey and Vistry Group, which includes Linden Homes, Bovis Homes and Countryside Partnerships – and supported by Devon County Council. The construction was led by Devon Contractors and designed by Stride Treglown architects. 

Devon Contractors have been amazing throughout. They have liaised and worked with the school and its children, who are so excited to 'move in!' We have tried to adopt Nick, the site manager as one of our own, but Devon Contractors seem reluctant to let him go! The build has been completed early, and new furniture started to be delivered today! 

We can't wait to utilise this expansion, which reflects our ongoing commitment to providing high-quality education and ensuring that our facilities meet the needs of our growing school community.

• • Event photography: Credit - John Allen Photography 

  • Aerial photography: Credit - Devon Contactors 

  • Selection of images for media / PR use: Credit - John Allen and Devon Contractors

Take a look at our photos to see what we got up to...

In the words of Year 3 - El Cafe de la Oruga Muy Hambrienta está cerrado (is closed)! Hasta luego (see you later)!

Sherford Vale School & Nursery can offer you all of the above and much more. Why not come and visit us on our Open Morning? We look forward to meeting you. 

Please see the poster below for more details.

The display evolved into something magical, and a real talking point for children, adults and visitors. 

For more images please use the link below - 

It's Up to Us Gallery

Staff and children enjoyed a characterful day for World Book Day celebrations. For more images of the day please click on the following link:

World Book Day