The plans for a reorganisation of schools in the Crewkerne and Ilminster area will go ahead. Somerset County Council’s Councillor Clare Paul, Cabinet Member for Education confirmed this morning.

As a result the following will now happen. From September 2022, the area’s current three-tier school system will become a two-tier system with major changes including:

• Wadham School to become a secondary school.
• Maiden Beech, Ashlands, St Bartholomew’s, Merriott and Haselbury Plucknett to become primary schools.
• Swanmead and Greenfylde to amalgamate and become a primary school.
• Closure of Misterton School.

The move follows a protracted period of consultation, more consultation and even a High Court challenge.

Local parents have contested the changes throughout the process. The move became more controversial when the results of the consultation were ignored. The consultation resulted in a majority stating they did not want the proposed changes. SCC then announced they would go ahead anyway. There is a statutory requirement to consult in these circumstances. However as The Leveller® has noted on more than one occasion, there is no point in consulting if you ignore the outcome.

The High Court challenge was made on 7 grounds including that the decision was discriminatory and irrational. Today the High Court challenge concluded with the Judge noting “the claimants have not established any of their grounds of challenge. Accordingly, this claim for judicial review is dismissed.”

The failure of the High Court challenge removed the last obstacle to SCC implementing the changes.