IT is just over a year since Opportunity Area work got fully underway in West Somerset and, a third of the way through its three year, £6 million government funded programme, much has happened - with much more to come.

The district was one of 12 areas in the UK to benefit from special funding aimed at boosting its lowest ranked position on the national Social Mobility Index, which rates the chances that a child from a disadvantaged background will be able to do well at school and get a good job.

The Opportunity Area programme for West Somerset has been divided into four areas, aiming to ensure every child has a great start in life, improving excellence in the classroom, supporting teenagers as they leave school, and supporting the local workforce, with skills for employment and business.

“Education is good in West Somerset, virtually every school is good or outstanding, but this programme is about how to help those on lower incomes and with special educational needs, the children who are least likely to go on to further education or be able to improve their opportunities,” said Julia Ridge, West Somerset Opportunity Area lead for Somerset County Council and the link between the Department for Education and the West Somerset community.

Right now, West Somerset has the highest proportion in the country of people on the living wage, and is the poorest working community, she said.

Buy today’s Free Press, and the first of a two-week feature with photos, to see how the Opportunity Area work is making its mark.