Uncertainty about the future of the County Primary School in Clovelly,

a village that he does not wish to leave, is one reason that prompted headmaster, Mr John Lees, to resign to become sub-postmaster there. Another reason was that ‘I just had a fancy to try something else after having been a teacher for 20 years.’

Devon County Education Committee was told that following the resignation of the headmasters of Clovelly and Westleigh Schools the North Devon Divisional Executive had met the managers in each case to discuss the possibility of area reorganisation. It had now been recommended that no action should be taken at present and that the posts of head teacher be advertised.

At the moment there are 39 children on the roll at Clovelly. Mr Lees said it was his hope that the school would be there for a long time, but the pressure to close rural schools was always present. It was a matter of considerable doubt whether the County Council would save money by transferring Clovelly children, say, to Hartland. It might well cost money. Such a move would not only involved the cost of transport. It would probably push Hartland School into a non-teaching headship, involving the appointment of a deputy head and another master.

Gazette edition dated 27 June 1965