The History of the Schools in Topsham

In 1767, Joseph Somaster, an Anglican Clergyman, left a legacy of £300 in his will for the free education of poor children in Topsham.  The fund was administered by the United Somasters Charity and included Mrs. Bridget Osborne’s legacy, the accounts being published in the Parish Church in Topsham.  Money was raised for the new school building which opened at Parkfield Road in 1863 under the name Topsham Somaster Mixed School with 80 children on roll.

1997 saw the closure of the two separate establishments and the creation of one combined school operating from the original sites, but now with the prospect of a new school on a single site becoming a reality.

                      The New Topsham School in Orchard Way

The new Topsham School was completed in June 2001 (ahead of schedule) at a cost of approximately £1.8m, the majority of which was secured through the New Deal for Schools initiative.  There are nine classrooms including a specialist science & technology room.  The school replaced the former separate, Victorian, 1st & middle schools which were on restricted sites and still had outside lavatories!