A consultation on the schools will take place at 9am on Tuesday, February 21 at The Mead Community Primary School in Hackett Place

AFTER decades of waiting, progress is finally being made on the new schools needed in the east of Trowbridge.

The Mead Academy Trust has revealed plans to submit a bid to The Department for Education which, if successful, will mean it is responsible for delivering two new primary schools and a secondary school, with the first of the primaries expected to open in 2019.

If it is successful in its bid, the trust will grow to include nursery, primary, secondary and Sixth Form provision, admitting children aged between three and 18.

Hilperton Parish Council chairman Ernie Clark said: “After decades of waiting to see some progress on a new school in the east of the town I’m delighted to finally see something happening.

“I’m pretty certain the secondary school will be built on the Ashton Park site just off Leap Gate if all goes to plan but I’m not sure about the two secondary schools.

“This side of the town has been in desperate need of a secondary school for a very long time and this is a positive step forward.”

The trust does not know the exact locations of the three proposed schools yet but says they will all be close to local amenities and houses.

Lyssy Bolton, executive headteacher of the trust, said: “The trust is making the application as a direct response to suggestions from parents, teachers and the wider community.

“The Mead’s experience shows that working as a local ‘family’ of vibrant and aspirational schools brings many benefits – with the fundamental objective of providing outstanding education for all.

“We will be able to ensure that our children are nurtured and sustain strong progress, ensuring continuity in learning throughout their school career.”

The trust is seeking feedback from Trowbridge residents and is encouraging people to meet members of the trust at one of its community consultations.

The first of the consultations takes place at 9am on Tuesday, February 21 at The Mead Community Primary School in Hackett Place, details of others can be found on The Mead's website.

There are currently three Mead schools across four sites, with two in Trowbridge and one in Melksham.

For more information, visit http://themeadacademytrust.org.uk/