SIR — I must disagree with Mrs Ross (Free Press Janaury 24) - the proposed changes to the education system in West Somerset are not political but a result of a takeover bid from West Somerset College and are an attempt not only to preserve its freedom but also to rationalise the system in West Somerset.

The plan by the college was supposed to be just to take pupils from Dulverton at age 11 and to help with curriculum development.

It was soon seen from the governors' minutes, freely available online, that the purpose was a full takeover of education in West Somerset, making the college a de facto education authority controlling all schools, their appointments and curriculum.

Dulverton sensibly came up with a different solution, which will keep the education of their children closer to home and do away with the horrendous winter journey over the moor to Minehead.

This means that the proposed 30 or so children from Dulverton are no longer available to the college, yet it persists with its ill thought out plan. The aim now must be to take children from Minehead and Danesfield Middle Schools.

This has forced Minehead Middle School to come up with a new scheme, in which it looks after children up to 16 who wish to follow a more traditional syllabus then go on to Richard Huish College, where high-flying sixth formers opt to go to get the best teaching at that level. This I feel will give them more chances in the jobs market.

This will still give other pupils the option of going to West Somerset College where they may take more suitable subjects such as hairdressing.

The competition in the town for secondary pupils has long been lacking in Minehead and this scheme can only raise the standard of education in the area.

I for one fully back the middle school and hope that all parents and councillors will get behind this imaginative and exciting scheme.

Let's give parents more choice for their children's education and save our primary schools.

R J Parham,

Blenheim Road,

Minehead.