SECONDARY education provision in Dulverton could be ditched within a year following a renewed bid to cut the school system from three tiers to two.
Just over a year after Somerset County Council abandoned controversial plans to change the age range of the town’s two schools, a new consultation on the proposal is about to be launched.
Governors of the Exmoor Federation – which includes All Saints First, Dulverton Middle and Exford First – confirmed yesterday (Thursday) that in the face of future budget constraints, they had concluded a two-tier system was in the best interests of children.
And although parents and the local community have yet to be consulted on the proposal that would see pupils having to travel outside of the town to be educated after the age of 11, governors have said they believe there is no other option.
Chairman Alan Jones said: “We believe that the current three-tier system is not sustainable and not offering the best educational opportunities to our children,” he said.
“We will, therefore, now begin the necessary processes, including consultation, with a view to delivering a two-tier system by the beginning of the 2016 autumn term.
“Whilst we must retain an open mind on the final decision until the results of the consultation are known, we will not be sitting on the fence but will actively promote the proposed change as being right for the future education of our children.”
The consultation, which will run over six weeks, is expected to start later in the autumn. Full story in the Free Press.