FROME could be in line for a new school as part of a £140million investment from Somerset County Council in children and young people.
The local authority announced plans to build 24 new or replaced and expanded schools around the county over the next seven to ten years to meet the demand for places from the growing numbers of children and young people.
The plans reveal that more primary school places will be created in Frome. However it is unknown how these new places will be delivered. A spokesperson for Somerset County Council said, “We have identified the need for additional first school places in Frome, subject to the progress of housing development and population changes.
“At this stage, the details of exactly how and when they will be delivered is still being planned and will become clearer as time goes on.”
If approved, the first phase of the building programme will eventually cost more than £140million over the next four years – thought to be the biggest sum of money ever invested in Somerset’s schools. Of the £140million, the county council will fund around £116m. The rest will come from developer contributions and the Department for Education.
“I am proud to lead the council as it takes this huge decision that will see brand new schools built, with others extended or improved in all of our major towns and many villages. It is a big step, it is a bold step, but it is the right step for us to make,” said council Leader David Fothergill.
“There is a lot of work still to be done, planning and consultation will need to take place, but our plans are ambitious, they are exciting and I’m sure parents, families, our communities will be as excited as we are.”
As well as Frome, the programme includes developments in the follow locations: Taunton (seven), Bridgwater (four), Yeovil (three) Burnham-on-Sea/Highbridge (one), Wells (one), Shepton Mallet (one), Street (one), Somerton (one), Castle Cary (one), Ilminster (one), Crewkerne (one), and Chard (one).
The first of the new schools to be built will be the £9million expansion of Selworthy School on the site of the former St Augustine’s School in Taunton, which will provide high quality education for more than 120 vulnerable children.
