Parents and carers in Street, Glastonbury, Wells, Shepton Mallet and Frome are being encouraged to have their say on proposed changes to school admission arrangements for the academic year 2026-2027. The consultation, run by Somerset Council, opened on 2 December 2024 and will remain open until 20 January 2025.

The consultation covers key elements of school admissions, including catchment areas, the number of available school places, and how places are allocated under over-subscription criteria. These arrangements play a crucial role in determining how children are assigned to schools across Somerset, including those in local towns and villages.

If your child is due to start or transfer schools in September 2026, or if you have an interest in the admissions process, you are invited to review the proposed changes and share your feedback. The consultation is open to all members of the public, with input welcomed from parents, carers, and local residents.

Feedback can be submitted via an online consultation platform on Somerset Council's website. All responses will be considered by the relevant Admission Authority, which varies depending on the school and may include the Governing Body, Academy Trust, or Local Authority.

Councillor Heather Shearer, Lead Member for Children, Families, and Education, said, "In Somerset, we are proud that the majority of children secure a place at their preferred school. However, we are always looking for ways to improve the system, and so I encourage all parents and carers who are applying for school places to participate in this consultation. By sharing your views and feedback, you help us make the admissions process more straightforward and, most importantly, fair."

For the 2024 intake, 98.86% of applicants in Somerset secured a place at one of their top three primary school choices, while 98.13% achieved the same for secondary schools.

The consultation offers a vital opportunity for families in Street, Glastonbury, Wells, Shepton Mallet, Frome, and the surrounding areas to influence decisions about school admissions and ensure fair access for local children. Feedback must be submitted before the consultation closes on 20 January 2025.