Tuesday 4th March

Tuesday, 4 March 2025 06:00

By Steve Haigh

The population of Somerset has reached record levels with nearly one in ten born outside the UK. Stanchester School in Stoke-sub-Hamdon has been rated as ‘requiring improvement’. Experts have been called in to appraise a 15th-century piece of artwork in Sherborne...and more.

The population of Somerset has reached record levels with nearly one in ten born outside the UK. Immigration is a major factor, but new arrivals mostly come from outside Europe. Figures suggest that areas like health and social care particularly depend on foreign-born workers, with a high proportion coming from Asia.

Stanchester School in Stoke-sub-Hamdon has been rated as ‘requiring improvement’ following an Ofsted inspection. The secondary school that has 812 pupils was told it needs to improve in three areas: quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, leadership and management. however, personal development remained a strength, earning a ‘Good’ rating.

Plans to charge for overnight parking at council-run car parks in Somerset have been dropped. At a meeting of Somerset Council’s Executive Committee it was also agreed not to end free on-street parking. The Council has faced strong opposition over its plans to standardise parking charges across the County, including charging for Sunday parking. The revised proposals will now be put out to public consultation before any final decisions are made.

Somerset Council says 92% of children have been found places at secondary schools of their choice, starting in September. It means that of the 4,743 applications received, 4,384 were given the school requested. 173 applicants were granted a second preference school, with 42 a third preference school. Somerset Council says an announcement about the allocation of places at primary, junior, and middle schools will be made on April 16th.

Experts have been called in to appraise a 15th-century piece of artwork in Sherborne. The three-panelled altar piece was removed from the Chapel at St John’s Almshouse for safekeeping when renovation work started on the building. The artwork depicts five miracles of Christ with the central panel illustrating the raising of Lazarus. Anyone with information about the painting is asked to please contact St John’s Almshouse in Sherborne.

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Friday 16th January

The go-ahead has been given to build 200 new homes at Ilchester. Taunton Town Council is increasing its share of the Council Tax by 3 per cent a year. Somerset is featured in a new Agatha Christie drama being shown on Netflix from this week...and more
Thursday 15th January

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Wednesday 14th January

The union representing workers at Leonardo in Yeovil says it needs a clear answer from the government on whether the Yeovil factory will be awarded a contract to build new medium-lift helicopters for the RAF. Somerset Council says more support will be provided to foster carers. A bird flu surveillance zone remains in place over the Somerset Levels...and more
Tuesday 13th January

The Government says it won’t bring forward a decision on buying new helicopters from Leonardo in Yeovil. A bird flu surveillance zone remains in place over the Somerset Levels. Yeovil’s temporary police station on Horsey Lane is to close at the end of the month....and more
Monday 12th January

Leonardo is threatening to shut its Yeovil factory. Somerset Community Foundation says there's still time to donate money to its Surviving Winter Appeal. The Swan Theatre in Yeovil is staging a number of special performances to mark its 50th anniversary...and more.
Friday 9th January

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Thursday 8th January

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