A CONSULTATION on changes to two Dulverton schools that would mean the end of secondary education in the town has been extended in the hope that more parents will have their say. Somerset County Council is behind controversial plans to turn All Saints First into an infants school and give Dulverton Middle primary status. But although the authority has received a total of 96 responses to a consultation it launched earlier this year, only 18 have been identified as being from parents of children attending the two schools or Exford First School, which is also part of the Exmoor Federation. The council has produced a report on the proposed age range changes which was discussed by the federation governors just over a week ago. But the governors say they want a greater and clearer understanding of parents' views and are now giving them until next Friday (June 6) to complete the consultation forms, which will then be fed into the decision-making process. Chairman of governors Dave Smith said: "It is essential that a decision of such importance is based on as secure an evidence base as possible. "We hope parents will respond in large numbers so that their collective view is clear." His plea has been reiterated by Cllr Frances Nicholson, who represents Dulverton on the council and is also cabinet member for children and families. "I do encourage as many parents as possible to respond by June 6," she said. "It is absolutely crucial that everyone involved should be able to have their say." The final decision will be made by council leader Cllr John Osman. Under the plans, All Saints, which currently caters for children aged from four to nine, would take three to seven-year-olds, while the age range of pupils at the middle school would switch from nine to 13 to seven to 11. The changes are being driven by an £80,000 shortfall in the middle school's budget, sparked by a reduction in Government funding following changes to the funding formula. The financial gap is making it increasingly difficult for the middle school to deliver the specialist teaching required for 11 and 12-year-olds, who under the council's plans could transfer to one of a number of secondary schools. But controversially, Kingsmead in Wiveliscombe is likely to become Dulverton's designated catchment school, rather than the West Somerset College in Minehead as at present. However, an action group of parents, former teachers and others involved in education is against the changes and has mounted a campaign to retain the status quo.