PLANS are being submitted for a brand new school near Highbridge, which would take on 420 pupils in total when in full.

The Wessex Learning Trust (WLT) has announced it wants to establish the Wessex Church of England Primary Academy, to cater for the new communities currently being created at Brue Farm and Isleport.

The school would be state funded, and would cater for children aged four to 11.

Parent and the community are being invited to have their say and give their support to the proposals, which will be submitted to the Department for Education (DfE) in autumn this year.

An information event will be taking place at the Highbridge Community Hall in Market Street on Wednesday, July 12 from 3.30pm to 6.30pm.

Parents and members of the public are invited to attend and find out more and meet representatives of the WLT.

The trust already runs a number of schools in the area, and has said it will work with its Axbridge and Weare Church of England First Schools and the Hugh Sexey CofE Middle School.

It said its aim is to deliver high-quality provision and leadership from the outset supported by the Diocese of Bath and Wells.

Chris Richardson at Wessex Learning Trust, said: “Wessex CofE Primary Academy will offer pupils of all faiths and none the very best educational experience with a rich and dynamic curriculum and wide range of enrichment activities including modern foreign languages, science and sport, all provided within a supportive and inclusive Christian ethos.

"The school will meet the growing demand for places locally and will have a strong community focus – a new school in the heart of its community.”

If the plans are approved, Wessex CofE Primary Academy will open with up to two Reception classes of 30 children and a nursery, subject to demand.

The opening date for the first intake will be agreed with the DfE and Somerset County Council following a successful application.

A spokesman for the trust added: "The school will be free to attend and highly inclusive with a distinctive Church of England character, and will offer its pupils the opportunity to grow and develop under-pinned by Christian values.

"It will provide parents with an additional choice of high quality education with strong pastoral care for their children. WLT, governors and staff will work relentlessly to ensure that every pupil achieves their maximum potential in a safe, supportive, high-expectation and caring environment."

Both Brue Farm and Isleport are undergoing major expansion plans.

More than 600 homes are currently planned to be built in Burnham-on-Sea and Highbridge, with 400 new homes proposed earlier this year for land near the Isleport Business Park.

You can find out more about the school and register your support by visiting www.wessexcofeprimary.org.uk/register.

You can also find the school on Facebook @wessexcofeprimary