Decision looms on schools restructure in Ilminster and Crewkerne

Crewkerne, Ilminster and the surrounding villages are one of the last areas in Somerset where a three-tier school system in place (comprising infant or junior, middle and upper schools) rather than a two-tier system (primary and secondary).

Somerset County Council has carried out two rounds of consultation, arguing that changing to a two-tier system was necessary in light of falling pupil numbers and rising budget deficits.

The council has confirmed its intention to push forward with the changes despite resistance from local parents and opposition councillors.

READ MORE: Last chance for public to have their say on Crewkerne and Ilminster schools restructure

Each of these changes would come into effect in September 2022, giving parents, staff and pupils around two years to adjust and if necessary relocate.

The issue was discussed by the council’s children and families scrutiny committee when it met virtually on Wednesday afternoon (March 3).

As part of the meeting, a petition was presented by the Yeovil Liberal Democrats calling on the reforms to be blocked, with more than 350 signatures.

The petition was organised by Oliver Patrick, whose Parrett ward on South Somerset District Council includes the village of Haselbury Plucknett.

Mr Patrick, a qualified middle school teacher, said: “Losing our three-tier system would be a huge blow to children and families in our area, but what’s worse is that the proposals put forward will not give our schools the long-term security they need.

“In order to justify this change, the council has branded our three-tier system financially unsustainable. Yet the fact is that our schools are only ‘unsustainable’ because of a national funding formula that fails to deliver for rural areas like ours.

“After years of real terms budget cuts, schools across Somerset are out of pocket to the tune of £1.3M. A staggering 133 out of 250 (more than half) of Somerset’s schools are facing financial crises.

“We don’t understand how and why things were allowed to get this bad in the first place.”

Councillor Faye Purbrick, cabinet member for education and transformation, said that pausing any decision at this stage would be calamitous for pupils, parents and staff alike.

She said: “One of the key elements in the petition was the request to pause. In this instance, it would be the worst decision that we can make because schools and the community need clarity.

“I’m already getting letters from parents who have put in their admission preferences but are now feeling uncertainty.

“I know that these are contentious proposals, but there is no way forward that garners widespread support. The pure truth is there isn’t one – the community is divided and there is no way forward where everyone gains in the same way.

“In the latest consultation, responses from staff have moved on. They are still uncertain about the future, but there are now as many who see the positives as those who are concerned.”

Parent Holly Phillips, who has spoken a lot about the schools restructure, was concerned about the lack of time given to individuals who chose to speak at the meeting. 

She said her questions were not vocalised, but felt members of the public should have the right to hear them. 

“The chair chose not to vocalise my questions, saying they were pressed for time and councillors would have read my questions anyway in their meeting documents,” she said.

“This meant that what I considered was a very important question (about financial packages to mitigate financial implications associated with floor area due to moving two extra year groups to Wadham) was not answered. 

“This seems to  have been consistently overlooked during this process and I considered it vitally important that it was highlighted in the last meeting before the cabinet make their final decision on March 17.”

The council confirmed in mid-January that no new primary schools would be built in Crewkerne if its reforms were agreed – including a new school agreed within the planning permission for the Crewkerne key site on the A30 Yeovil Road.

Ms Purbrick also gave assurances that Ilminster’s schools would remain properly funded even if a single primary school was formed to operate across two different sites.

She said: “A split-site primary school in Ilminster would be guaranteed split-site funding for as long as that arrangement was in place.

“If this does go ahead, we would take the opportunity to look at the old adult education building on Ditton Street, to see if Swanmead could be expanded to fit all pupils on one site, or considering a new-build school.

“I will leave no stone unturned to ensure we are securing the best facilities for our children’s learning.”

The council’s cabinet will meet virtually on March 17 at 10am to make a final decision on the proposed reforms. The meeting will be live-streamed via the council’s website.