A SOMERSET MP has urged the council to rethink its decision to deprive one of the county’s best performing primary schools of a new classroom.

Somerset Council approved plans in November 2024 to replace the existing temporary buildings with brand new classrooms, with consent being granted in August 2025 to the demolition of the existing structures.

But the new school will only have two classrooms rather than three – with the governors believing that this will lead to possible job losses and will damage the well-being of children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).

Rachel Gilmour, the Liberal Democrat MP for Tiverton and Minehead, visited the school on Tuesday, October 14, meeting with headteacher Jacqui Collier and chairman of governors Ben Burdon-Cooper to discuss the rebuilding work.

The school achieved the top Key Stage 2 results in Somerset for 2018 and 2019 and placed in the top five for 2023 and 2024.

The school received high praise in its most recent Ofsted report in December 2024, with inspectors describing pupils as having “a strong sense of belonging” to the school, feeling “safe and happy” and with “exemplary” behaviour.

Speaking after her visit, Mrs Gilmour said: “Stawley Primary School has an impressive reputation both locally and nationally, and during last week’s visit, I could see why.

“We had lots of interesting discussions about primary education, local transport issues, and their site redevelopment – a fantastic-looking building, yet with a classroom less than they currently have.

“It’s important that Jacqui and her staff are given the facilities to continue their successful work with children in rural communities from both Somerset and across the border in Devon.”

The primary school rebuild was previously raised by Ruthven Burdon-Cooper, chairman of the Wellington Area Rural Federation group of schools, at a full council meeting in Bridgwater on Friday, September 26.

Councillor Heather Shearer, portfolio holder for children, families and education, stated at the time that a predicted fall in pupil numbers over the remainder of the decade meant that a third classroom was no longer deemed to be necessary.

Ms Shearer said: “The school had a baseline of 54 pupil numbers in 2024, with a forecast of 57 in 2025 and 2026, reducing to 48 by 2029.

“On the basis of these numbers, a third classroom would not be necessary to meet demand.

“There is a therapy or withdrawal room shown on the plans submitted and included in our scheme; the school can choose to designate this space as a SEND resource if so required.

“This is in addition to the group or ‘break-out’ space in the central area of the new school extension, which is over and above what was required for the school population.

“Ultimately, the school can designate the use of this space to suit the requirements that it has now, while also providing flexibility with any changes which may occur in the future.”

The council was approached for further comment but they did not respond to the requests.