- Target:
- Devon County Council
- Region:
- United Kingdom
The Start Bay Centre has provided valuable residential Outdoor and Environmental Learning experiences for the past 40 years to more than 15,000 children and young people. It is currently under threat of closure.
If the Start Bay Centre closes, there will be no residential outdoor education facilities left in ‘South Devon’. It provides opportunities for children of all abilities to gain confidence, knowledge, independence and skills.
The Centre plays a vital role in ensuring that children who will be the adults of the future will have a deeper understanding and awareness of the natural environment and it’s finite resources.
Devon County Council has just announced an investment of £5.6m into Haven Banks Outdoor Activity Centre, therefore recognising the value of outdoor education, (as does Ofsted in their latest report on outdoor learning).
There are currently a number proposals for taking the centre forward, but unless DCC allow time for these to develop, the centre is due to close, staff are likely to be made redundant later this year and the building will be sold. More time is needed.
We, the undersigned request that Devon County Council safeguard the future of the Start Bay Centre as a residential Outdoor Learning facility for the children of Devon and wider area.
We ask DCC to allow the Start Bay Centre to remain within the Children and Young Peoples Services Directorate, and that no staff are made redundant, until a suitable way forward has been explored.
You can further help this campaign by sponsoring it
The Save the Start Bay Centre petition to Devon County Council was written by Debbie Gregson and is in the category Education at GoPetition.