A MULTI-TRUST academy in West Somerset has been given the green light by the Regional Commissioner for Schools, Sir David Carter.

The proposal will see Dulverton’s All Saints Church First School, Dulverton Middle & Community School, Exford Church First School and Minehead Middle School to work under a single board of directors in conjunction with the Diocese of Bath & Wells.

The aim of the Trust would be to share knowledge, experience and expertise to increase standards across all four schools, but also to support Dulverton Middle School now that children in the catchment area are entitled to free transport to Kingsmead School in Wiveliscombe from the age of 11.

A group of parents from Dulverton have previously expressed their concerns that they were worried about the funding of the academy causing them to “only assume the worst for Dulverton Middle School”.

A spokesperson said: “We are still waiting for details as to how the structure and finances will work out. Our concerns remain the same.”

Mr Paul Rushforth, head teacher of Minehead Middle School has said that the move will benefit Dulverton.

He said: “At the moment, it is an unsustainable system and the new system will make sure that Dulverton Middle School remains open.

“Parents will still have a choice of where to send their children.

“Ultimately, Dulverton could close if too many children leave the school to go to Kingsmead but we are going to make the standards at the middle school so high, that parents won’t want to take their children out.

“I am really positive about the future about the schools in West Somerset.”

The move is still subject to governing body approval and a series of meetings will be held for parents and staff over the coming weeks.

The outcome of the first round of consultations that ended on March 10 will be published on the websites of all four schools.

The four schools educate over 800 children and employ 50 teachers and over 100 support staff. It is hoped that the Trust could be in place from September 2015