Primary school education in Kingsteignton was reorganised during the 1980s. The existing infants` school was rebuilt and reopened as St Michael`s Primary and Kingsteignton Junior School, in Sandpath Road, was closed down because of the poor state of its buildings. Rydon School was built on a new site on Rydon Road and the new school opened in 1987 with nine classes.
With increasing housing development in the area, it was almost immediately necessary to enlarge the buildings. A four-class extension was added, along with a resource area and toilets and cloakrooms. However, again due to increased housing developments in the area, four new classrooms were opened in January 2003, totalling eighteen in all. In September 2003, a covered play area was built at the front of the school as an under fives' outdoor structured activity centre. In July 2005 the staffroom was extended.
Rydon school is based on a wide central corridor, with space for working areas and storage. Ten classes open on to this corridor, most with external access. There is a good-sized hall and office area and one upstairs room which is used as a resources room. There are three playgrounds; one is for the Foundation and Key Stage 1 children, another for Years 3 and 4 children and the third is for Years 5 and 6. At the rear of the school buildings there is a sports field, marked for football and athletics their seasons. Significant environmental developments to the school grounds have taken place over the last few years, thanks to the work of children, parents and teachers.
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