School review
Thank you for your feedback with regard to the current review into education provision in the Crewkerne/Ilminster area. The consultation on the Futures for Somerset (FfS) report has now finished. There have been a number of very helpful suggestions about future arrangements including detailed comments on the report, which will be considered by the County Council, Department for Education (Regional Schools Commissioner) and Schools over the coming months. It is expected that a further position statement on future arrangements will be available by mid-Autumn.
The aim of this review is to secure sustainable education for all children in the area and, as the report makes clear, that includes maintaining rural schools to support communities as well as having schools with sufficient resources to support pupils’ needs.
This has to be achieved within the constraints that apply to all options, notably the affordability of any changes as both schools and the County Council have limited resources, which may mean any changes are phased over a number of years.
It is important to emphasise that more work will need to be undertaken on the modelling of the options and no decision will be taken until there has been more in-depth consultation with both schools and the Department for Education (Regional Schools Commissioner).
Pupils, parents, staff and governors will be fully consulted on any decisions. If you have any queries or wish to share your views you can continue to do so by contacting Dave Farrow Head of Partnerships DFarrow@somerset.gov.uk