A Somerset Member of Parliament has urged the county council to reconsider its decision to reduce the number of classrooms in a new building project at Stawley Primary School, one of Somerset’s highest performing primary schools.
Located in the village of Stawley, near the Devon-Somerset border, the school is set to replace temporary classrooms with a brand new facility. However, the planned development includes only two classrooms instead of the current three, raising alarms among school governors about potential job losses and compromised support for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).
Rachel Gilmour, the Liberal Democrat MP for Tiverton and Minehead, visited Stawley Primary on October 14th to discuss the plans with headteacher Jacqui Collier and chairman of governors Ben Burdon-Cooper. With the school achieving top Key Stage 2 results in Somerset for multiple years and receiving praise for creating a safe, happy, and inclusive environment in its latest Ofsted report, concerns are growing that the reduction in classrooms could hamper its continued success.
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Following her visit, Mrs. Gilmour stressed the importance of restoring the third classroom to maintain the school’s high standards. She highlighted the school’s role as a model for rural education, not only serving local Somerset children but also pupils from nearby Devon.
The council’s rationale, communicated by Heather Shearer, portfolio holder for children, families and education, pointed to a projected decline in pupil numbers through to 2029, suggesting that a third classroom would be underutilized. She noted that the new facility includes a therapy or withdrawal room that could be used as a SEND resource, along with additional group space designed to offer flexibility.
Despite these assurances, local leaders and school representatives argue that reducing physical space risks undermining the quality of education and support. The council has yet to respond publicly to recent calls for reconsideration.