David Warburton, the Conservative Parliamentary Candidate for Somerton and Frome today welcomed to Somerset the Rt Hon Michael Gove MP, Secretary of State for Education. David Warburton introduced him to David Norton, the Headmaster of both Somerton Infants School and Monteclefe Junior School in Somerton, in order to discuss the proposal of merging the two schools to create a new primary school in the town.
David Norton described the history of the area and the growth of the two current schools, and he explained to the Secretary of State that 450 new homes have recently been approved for development, which will put an impossible strain on the town’s primary school system.
David Warburton commented, “The challenge for Somerton is to build and invest for the future, by getting the facilities it needs in the most sympathetic way for the town. I am working with David Norton to try and secure the necessary funding for a full assessment and feasibility study to merge the two schools. We can then all look at the findings and the town can work towards a solution.”
He continued, ““I am delighted to have had the opportunity to put the concept to the Education Secretary, and to get his backing for the principle of building and investing in the future of education in Somerton.”
The cost of a feasibility study is in the region of £35,000. David Warburton, together with local campaigners and local Somerset County Councillor Dean Ruddle is working to raise the required funding from Somerset County Council.