School closures could be approved later as pupil numbers fall
A controversial decision to replace the schools system in the Crewkerne and Illminster area could be approved later - closing Misterton school and Swanmead in its current format.
It's expected the current first schools, middle schools and upper schools will be replaced with primary and secondaries.
It follows a review which found too few people live in the area - and not enough homes are being built - to fill the existing school places going forward.
A report going before the council's cabinet reads: "In the Crewkerne and Ilminster area, high-quality education is at risk due to low pupil numbers and consequent financial instability, a concern that has been growing for over ten years
"Change in the area is essential in order to address the challenges posed by schools running under pupil capacity, even when taking in to account the possibility of housing growth in the area.
"Consultation and engagement activity over the last five years has sought views on a wide range of options, but none of the alternatives that have come forward have been viable or likely to produce better outcomes."
The full report can be found here: