All of Somerset's schools are expected to become academies by 2030 under new government policy.

Somerset currently has 130 academies, which are organised into multi-academy trusts (MATs) rather than being run by the local authority (Somerset County Council).

The Department for Education (DfE) published a white paper in March laying out its ambitions for all of Somerset's remaining council-controlled schools to become academies within the next eight years.

To achieve this ambition, the government will provide extra support for schools in underachieving areas – including an investment in high-speed broadband through the more rural parts of west Somerset.

Details of the government's plans were fleshed out at a meeting of the council's children and families scrutiny committee in Taunton on Monday afternoon (September 5).

Under the DfE proposals, all schools are expected to be part of "strong trusts" by 2030, with further details about the role of the council, Ofsted and the trusts expected to be published in the coming months.

New 'education investment areas' will be created to raise standards in low-performing area, with existing trusts also being expected to achieve better ratings in their Ofsted inspections.

West Somerset has been identified as one of 55 such areas, with the DfE seeking to build on the work of the West Somerset Opportunity Area over the last five years.

Amelia Walker, the council's assistant director for education partnerships and skills, told the committee that the council was working with the government and the Diocese of Bath and Wells to see how the proposals could be implemented.

She said in her report: "It is clear there is significant scope to create a more sensible distribution of schools and trusts.

"However, we are mindful that 2030 is eight years away, and many members (across all parties) are not enthusiastic about full academisation.

"Since the publication of the white paper there has been significant political turmoil and a general election is rapidly approaching."

The council has identified a number of area which it would prioritise if the push towards full academisation of Somerset's schools went ahead.

These include:

• Meeting the needs of pupils with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), including them in mainstream education on-site wherever possible
• Addressing persistent absences and looking at how schools deal with suspensions or exclusions
• Raising the attainment of vulnerable pupils, as well as those on free school meals
• Ensuring the academies are held publicly accountable for their performance

Councillor Andy Hadley – who represents Minehead – raised concerns that the broadband funding from the DfE would not benefit the rural schools around the town which needed it the most.

He said: "We've got lots of rural middle schools dotted around Exmoor. In Minehead in the senior school, we've got fairly quick broadband speeds.

"I just worry the investment area may focus on an area that doesn't have too many problems."

Ms Walker responded: "Broadband is an area of tangible investment where a commitment has been made and we know that will benefit people.

"We are not in the driving seat with the investment area – this is a government-led initiative. We don't think the focus will just be broadband, other factors will be taken into account."

Councillor John Hunt (Bishop's Hull and Taunton West) said he was worried the council would end up paying for building repairs on schools which would then be immediately taken over by a MAT.

He said: "If a building or buildings are in disrepair at the moment and the MAT is trying to 'date' that particular school, that can put a trust off.

"If they decide to take on a school, subject to, for instance, a new roof that needs doing, will they come to us for that?"

Ms Walker said the quality of school buildings was a national concern, citing the recent sudden closure of Milford Junior School in Yeovil due to safety concerns.

She said: "What we need are high-performing schools which are in a good position to raise standards across the board. Academising at all cost is not in anyone's interests.

"It's about seeing schools' positions strengthened. Property is a concern – it's a national concern, actually, and the situation has become acute for us all given the situation with Milford Infant and Juniors School.

This is a strategic conversation about how we all move forward together and use the resources available to us."

Eileen Tipper, who sits on the committee as a school governor, said MATs needed to be held accountable, especially if a school which had joined a MAT had failed to improve as a result.

She said: "The whole concept is about a democratic deficit. The pressures on schools to convert are considerable and widespread.

"There is no clear geographical area that you're working with when you convert – in Bridgwater, we have trusts scattered all over the place. The input of stakeholders, especially parents, are markedly limited if you go into a trust.

"The decision-making is located outside an individual school. The two schools I've been involved in have found that very difficult.

"Because of the organisation challenges, performance in individual schools could diminish."

Ms Walker replied: "We have been asked to work on proposals is the democratic deficit and monitoring of trusts.

"We have some good ideas about things which could be introduced in Somerset. These are still at an early stage."