PARENTS in South Somerset will get four weeks to have their say on plans which would see three schools in the district cease to exist.

Somerset County Council’s cabinet agree today (October 21) to send their plans to transform the education provision for Ilminster, Crewkerne and surrounding villages to a public consultation.

There would be changes in store for eight schools, including shutting Misterton First School and merging Greenfylde and Swanmead into a single new school.

The county councils plan is to move from a three tier school system - with lower, middle and upper schools - to a two tier system of just primary and a secondary school.

RELATED: Click here for full details on how each school will be affected

Cllr Faye Purbrick, cabinet member for Education and Transformation at SCC, said: “It is an absolute priority for Somerset County Council to secure high quality education for every pupil in the county.

"The number of pupils coming into schools in Crewkerne and Ilminster has been reducing for many years and an independent review advised the current arrangement is unsustainable.

"Without action the excellent education our young people deserve is at risk, hence it’s vitally important we act rapidly to put schools in the area on a stable footing.

“Last year’s independent review recommended a number of changes to the structure of schools to secure the aspirational education we want for all children and young people aged 4 to 18 in the area.

"We listened to people’s views on several different options and the latest proposal was developed using the feedback gathered from these results."

More information, including links to the consultation when it goe live, can now be found at somerset.gov.uk/crewkerne-and-ilminster-strategic-school-review.

Cllr Purbrick added: “I welcome the fact thatcaabinet has today agreed to move the new proposals forward to the next stage. This is one of those moments when democratic engagement is critical and therefore I encourage all of those who wish to give their views to do so

"The opinions of the community will be instrumental when cabinet makes a decision next year.”

Cabinet is expected to make a final decision on the way forward in 2021. SCC hopes to have the new school structure in palce by September 2022.