MP Rachel Gilmour with headteacher James Dakin

Work set to start on Somerset village nursery expansion next month

Paul JonesJanuary 16, 20260 Comment0

PLANS to expand a nursery in Bishops Lydeard are moving forward – with work starting as early as next month.

Bishops Lydeard Church School has announced the official launch of the £370,000 nursery expansion, after funding was secured from Bishops Lydeard Parish Council.

Children could be welcomed to the new, expanded facility, as early as September.

The school said in recent years, demand for nursery places had consistently outstripped supply, with the existing premises in Mount Street oversubscribed.

In recent years, a coordinated funding initiative has resulted in funds from:

Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) contributions, approved by the Parish Council on 10 December
Bath & Wells Multi Academy Trust
A Nursery Capital Grant from the Department for Education; outcome expected April 2026

The combined funding meets the £370,000 target required to refurbish The Old School House, adjacent to the main school, creating a modern, spacious nursery with wrap-around care options.

Headteacher at the school, James Dakin, said: “Bishops Lydeard Church School is thrilled by the support we have received from our community.

“It has been a long journey with many challenges along the way. However, this project will now have an increased impact for children in our local area, increasing spaces in our nursery, and give children the best start in life.

“We believe that the nursery expansion will enable more children to actively experience our vision of ‘Living life in all its fullness.

“With the help of our parent team, Rachel Gilmour MP and the Parish Council, to whom we are very thankful for, we are now in a position where we can start building works in February.

“While we await the decision of the much needed funding from the Department for Education nursery capital grant request, we are in a place where our dream, vision and values can start to come into a reality.”

Bath & Wells Multi-Academy Trust CEO, Nikki Edwards, said: “This vital expansion is a testament to what can be achieved when school, local decision makers and the Trust work together for children and families.”