PARENTS are calling for more open communication about a potential shake-up of the education structure in West Somerset.

Somerset County Council has announced that sparse funding means an ‘uncertain future’ for the Exmoor Federation, which includes Exford First School, All Saints First School in Dulverton and Dulverton Middle School.

Children at these schools are part of a three-tier system, where five to nineyear-olds attend a first school, nine to 13-year-olds a middle school and 13 to 18-year-olds go to college.

But governors have written to their parents aboutthe possibility of moving to the two-tier education system – with Primary and Secondary schools – which is used in most parts of the country.

Cllr Frances Nicholson, county council cabinet member for children and families, said: “Governors at the Exmoor Federation have been wrestling with the impact of new Government funding rules on small, especially three-tier, schools.

“The governors, the local authority, and I have only one priority: our childrenmusthave the best possible education for the best start in life. The current situation cannot continue and something has to change.

“Parents and the wider community must be properly consulted about the wayforward. Nodecisions will be taken until the results of the consultations have been fully and carefully considered.”

A formal consultation is due to take place in October. All Saints School Association chair Lindsay Smith’s four-year-old daughter, Emilia, will be joining her seven-year-old sister, Lily, at the school from September.

Lindsay said: “My initial reaction was horror, which I think represents parents’ feelings in general, because of the thought of putting your 11-year-old on a school bus for 40 minutes.

“Our biggest concern is that 11 is quite young to be sharing a bus with 15 or 16-year-olds and there will be conversations that are not suitable for the younger ears.

“But as much as there are downsides, there are definitely upsides too and having had time to think about it, a two-tier system is probably more suitable for children education-wise.

“However, they will need to give parents some options, such as providing separate transport for different ages.

“There also needs to be more open communication. The initial letter contained a lot of facts, but perhaps they need to strip it back so parents understand how it will actually affect their children.

“This kind of change impacts on a rural community like ours much more than elsewhere, just because of the distances our children will have to travel at a younger age. That’s why it’s such an emotional thing for parents here.

“It will take a while to get over that emotional side but as long as parents are well-informed I think they will feel more comfortable. Keeping communication channels open is vital.”