Vallis First School, located on Milk Street west of Frome town centre, currently educates 207 pupils aged four to nine, spanning Reception to Year 4. The school operates within Frome’s unique three-tier education system, which includes first, middle, and high schools. This contrasts with the rest of Somerset, where a two-tier system of primary and secondary schools predominates.
Somerset Council is considering a transition to the two-tier system in Frome, following consultation plans with parents, teachers, and governors. This approach echoes the recent successful changes made in the Crewkerne and Ilminster school catchments in September 2022.
The council’s executive committee recently approved the admission arrangements for Vallis First School for the upcoming school year. The intake for Reception will be reduced to a maximum of 30 pupils, down from 56 the previous year, reflecting shifting demographics and resources.
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Phil Curd, Somerset Council’s head of education places, revealed that Vallis First School might convert one of its mainstream classrooms into a dedicated space to support children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). This proposal arises in part because the opening of the Steiner free school, now known as Avanti Park School, over a decade ago, has led to an oversupply of school places in the Frome area.
At a council executive meeting on February 11 in Taunton, Mr Curd stated: “If the community supports moving to a two-tier system, we will propose detailed plans to convert some mainstream places into specialist provision. This will help address the growing need for SEND education within the region.”
Children with SEND are typically educated in specialist schools or integrated into mainstream schools according to Education, Health, and Care Plans (EHCPs). Somerset Council has faced increasing challenges due to rising numbers of EHCPs and full capacity at specialist schools. This shortage has resulted in increased transport costs as children must travel further for specialist services and delays in EHCP reviews, which have prompted complaints to the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman.
In response, the council committed in March 2025 to creating 15 new SEND units within existing schools across the county, increasing local access to specialist education. Six units opened in September 2025, with Frome identified as a future location for this enhanced SEND provision.