PLANS to create three new primary schools in Worle are pressing ahead.

Under the proposals Hillside, Mendip Green and St Martin’s schools would be expanded and converted to take wider age groups.

The changes would mean the number of available school places at the three sites would increase by 315 overall.

Hillside First School in Church Road would be converted into a 210-place primary on the same site, Mendip Green First School would become a 630-place school where it is situated in Mendip Road and St Martin’s School in Spring Hill would expand to take 630 children.

North Somerset councillors decided last week at a meeting of the children and young people’s services policy and scrutiny panel to forge ahead with the plans.

A report presented to them said: “While concerns have been raised about 630-place primary schools, it is the view of education specialists that with effective schools leadership, management and support, they can be as successful as other size schools.”

Council officers met with staff from schools in September and say that generally they were supportive of the change, but there was some concern over the impact of the changes on roles, responsibility and deployment.

A budget of �230,000 has been allocated to put a new classroom and carry out repairs at Hillside First School, whereas Mendip Green First School will benefit from �500,000 towards a new school hall and resource room.

A total of �1.55million is set to go towards new classrooms at St Martin’s School.

North Somerset Council has now said it will press ahead with publishing statutory notices on the changes, which means certain interested parties will be able to comment on the proposals.