LEADERS at Minehead First School say they have ‘serious concerns’ about a potential shake-up of the education system in West Somerset.

They say plans to lower the age of intake at West Somerset Community College (WSCC) would have a knock-on effect on the first school pupils and are ‘disappointed’ with the lack of consultation.

In a letter to parents, chairman of governors Lynn Chuter said: “We as the governors of Minehead First School have serious concerns about the resulting consequences of the proposals.

“It may seem as though the proposals would not affect first school children, as they are only a way of helping Dulverton Middle School, but it is our view that there could be far-reaching changes to the whole education system in our area.”

Heads of governors at the affected schools are to attend a meeting later this month, chaired by the local authority.

As reported in the County Gazette, tensions are rising about the proposed shake-up, which would see WSCC lower its minimum age from 13 to 11.

Children at the Exmoor Federation, which includes Exford First School, All Saints First School in Dulverton and Dulverton Middle School, could see a change from the current three-tier system of first, middle and upper schools, to two-tier, with primary and secondary schools.

Education chiefs fear if the proposals go ahead, parents will decide to transfer their children early, leading to a drop in numbers at middle schools.

Ms Chuter added: “These schools would consequently be faced with a similar problem to Dulverton and would potentially be faced with a decision of either dropping their age range to take in the top two first school years, or else increasing their age range to 16 and possibly directly competing with WSCC.

“If they were to choose the first option, then there is a serious risk in our view that some of our small schools would be unable to survive.

“Either way, the system we have at present, which works extremely well for the children in our particular area, would be drastically changed.”

WSCC says the change is driven by the ‘determination to secure the highest quality of education’ and it remains ‘committed to the long-term vision of a coherent approach to education.’

Minehead First School is urging parents to fill in an on-line consultation ahead of the governors’ meeting, which can be found by clicking here.