Background

It is an absolute priority for Somerset Council to secure high-quality education for every pupil in the county. The number of children coming into schools in Crewkerne and Ilminster has been reducing for many years, putting the quality of education being delivered at risk and causing large budget overspends.

Timeline

• 2019 – an independent review of education provision in Crewkerne and Ilminster took place which found the current structure of schools was not sustainable.
• 12 June to 26 July 2019 – following the independent review, a consultation took place asking for views on a wide range of options.
• 21 October 2020 – the Council’s Cabinet decided to consult on a single option.
• 12 November to 11 December 2020 – a pre-publication consultation ran for four weeks to provide an opportunity for those who wished to have their say on the Council’s new proposal.
• 18 January 2021 – the Cabinet Member for Education and Transformation took a Non-Key Decision to proceed to a Statutory Consultation.
• 27 January 2021 – Notices were published in the Chard and Ilminster News.
• 27 January to 24 February 2021 – Statutory Consultation to provide members of the public a further opportunity to respond.
• 17 March 2021 – the Council’s Cabinet decided to approve proposals for a major change in the delivery of education in the Crewkerne and Ilminster areas.

To read the proposals within the Cabinet papers and the decision documents visit our Meetings, agendas and minutes page.

What's happening now?

The area’s current 3-tier school system will become a 2-tier system with major changes including:

• Wadham School to become a secondary school
• Maiden Beech, Ashlands, St Bartholomew’s, Merriott and Haselbury Plucknett to become primary schools
• Swanmead and Greenfylde amalgamate and become a primary school
• Closure of Misterton School.

We are working to ensure a smooth transition to a 2-tier system from September 2022.

Work will be carried out at schools in the area before September 2022. To find out more details of the property works read the Crewkerne and Ilminster Capital Works Position Summary (XLS 38KB)

Consultation on the 2023/24 admission arrangements for Voluntary Controlled and Community Schools

Somerset Local Authority is consulting on the 2023/24 admission arrangements for Voluntary Controlled and Community Schools. The consultation includes a proposal to incorporate the catchment area of Misterton First School into St Bartholomew’s Primary School from September 2023. The designated transport area would also be updated to reflect this change.

Admissions

Primary
Parents and carers in the Crewkerne and Ilminster area with a child aged four by 31 August 2022 need to apply for a primary place for their child. The deadline for primary applications is 15 January 2022 and outcomes will be notified on 19 April 2022. To make an application visit our Apply to start school for the first time page.

Secondary
Parents and carers in the Crewkerne and Ilminster area with a child in Year 6 should have already applied for a secondary school place for their child. The deadline for secondary applications was 31 October 2021 and outcomes will be notified on 1 March 2022. If you missed the application deadline, late applications can also be made by visiting our Starting at a secondary school or upper school in September page.

Get in touch

Any questions or comments can be emailed to our dedicated mailbox crewkerneilminsterschools@somerset.gov.uk