WILLITON, Washford and Minehead middle and first schools are getting set to join forces in a move designed to benefit children, staff and education provision in West Somerset.

Danesfield Church of England School, St Peter’s Church of England First School, both in Williton, and Old Cleeve CofE First School in Washford, are already a multi-academy trust, the Quantock Academy.

They will dissolve this and join with Minehead Middle School, also already an academy, to form a new West Somerset Academies Trust (WSAT), and will also include Minehead First School – although this aspect is not yet finalised.

It is hoped the change can go ahead in April or early May.

And it means the schools’ collective budget and greater career opportunities for staff will enable them to raise education standards across Somerset, said Paul Rushforth, chief executive officer of the WSAT, and Carl Winch, principal and chief executive officer of the Quantock Academy.

The move has been approved by the Regional Commissioner for Schools Sir David Carterand was unanimously approved by governors at the Quantock Academy last week.

Mr Rushforth met with staff at the Minehead schools and said they were very enthusiastic, and Mr Winch met with staff on Monday and also sent letters to parents.

An information and discussion meeting for all parents is being held at Danesfield School on Tuesday (January 20).