THE Tamar Valley Federation is now up and running, with hopes to secure the sustainability for two primary schools.

Led by executive headteacher, Melanie Cripps, the Tamar Valley Federation has seen Lifton Community Primary School and Bere Alston Primary School, join together for the benefit of both pupils and the two village communities.

Melanie has been headteacher at Lifton for almost five years, and has been supporting Bere Alston since September 2017. After much dedication and time planning, Melanie and both teams of staff at the schools were delighted when Lifton and Bere Alston schools joined as a federation on April 16.

Melanie said the schools are very excited about the prospect of joining together for the benefit of the children of Lifton and Bere Alston and the wider school community. There will be an acting head of school in each establishment, with permanent acting heads of schools to be secured for September 2018.

Melanie said: “This is an exciting time for both schools, where pupils and staff can work together on joint projects, share expertise and resources. Both schools are unique and will retain their own identity, but working together will secure the sustainability for both schools in the future.

“The two schools are not too far apart. One of the strengths of Lifton is the very popular foundation unit, and as I’m committed to this type of provision for early years education, I hope to make plans to open a foundation unit at Bere Alston in the future for children from the age of two years and up.”