Somerset News

New specialist Free School for Somerset children gets green light

New specialist Free School for Somerset children gets green light

Children in Somerset will benefit from a new free specialist school in Wells which will provide places for pupils with social, emotional and mental health needs. Somerset County Council has been successful in its application to the Department for Education (DfE) to open the school, one of 33 new free special schools nationally. Councillor Tessa… Read More…

Secondary school places announced for 2023/2024 academic year

Secondary school places announced for 2023/2024 academic year

Somerset children starting secondary school in September will today (1 March) find out which school they will be attending. Parents who have applied for places online will be emailed with their offer of a school place, whilst those who applied via a paper form will receive their offer by post in the coming days. Figures… Read More…

Somerset: Let’s Connect for Children’s Mental Health Week

Somerset: Let’s Connect for Children’s Mental Health Week

During this year’s Children’s Mental Health Week (6-12 February), Somerset County Council is sharing some simple tips to encourage parents and carers to consider how they can help children to build meaningful connections as part of this year’s ‘Let’s Connect’ theme. Human beings thrive in communities, and this connection is vital for our wellbeing and our survival.… Read More…

Latest Ofsted and CQC review shows improvements in Somerset’s SEND services

Latest Ofsted and CQC review shows improvements in Somerset’s SEND services

An Ofsted and Care Quality Commission letter has shown improvements in Special Educational Needs and/or Disabilities (SEND) services in Somerset. Inspectors carried out a re-visit of the SEND Local Area Partnership (Somerset County Council, NHS Somerset and schools) in late 2022, and released their letter, detailing progress to the Partnership on Wednesday 1 February. The… Read More…

Voters will need to show photo ID at polling stations in the May elections

Voters will need to show photo ID at polling stations in the May elections

Changes in national legislation mean that for the first time voters will need to show photographic ID when they go to the polling station to vote in the local elections. A passport, photocard driving licence, Blue Badge, Older Person’s Bus Pass or a Disabled Person’s Bus Pass are some of the documents that will be accepted… Read More…

Somerset Trust for Arts and Recreation (STAR)

Somerset Trust for Arts and Recreation (STAR)

Young Somerset Board and STAR Trustees have unanimously agreed that STAR will transfer across to be part of Young Somerset on 1st April 2023.  Young Somerset (YS) has always been committed to working in partnership with other organisations that share similar values to that of Young Somerset. On transfer the great work of STAR will… Read More…

Planning Approval Granted to Somerset’s First Net Zero School

Planning Approval Granted to Somerset’s First Net Zero School

Last month, planning permission was granted for the new primary school at the Orchard Grove development in Taunton.  The school will serve the new community, with capacity for 420 pupils and 52 nursery places, and room to expand to accommodate an additional 210 children. An investment of £11.3 million has been secured to build the… Read More…

Somerset primary school undergoes work to reduce its carbon footprint

Somerset primary school undergoes work to reduce its carbon footprint

Wookey Primary School near Wells has become the latest in a line of Somerset buildings to receive a ‘decarbonisation’ makeover as part of Somerset County Council’s commitment to making its buildings more energy efficient and environmentally friendly. The type of work carried out varies from building to building, but includes features such as cavity wall… Read More…

Somerset ‘warm welcome’ spaces opened across County

Somerset ‘warm welcome’ spaces opened across County

Somerset County Council together with District colleagues are supporting the rollout of “Warm Welcome” spaces across the County. As temperatures fall this winter and energy bills skyrocket, these venues will provide places where people can find warmth, company, and support. Over 70 spaces are now open to anyone who wants somewhere warm and welcoming to go, with many… Read More…

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