'Old School Site'

In 2016, the Parish Council registered the Countess Gytha old school site as an "Asset of Community Value" with South Somerset District Council. This prevented the site being sold on the open market for a period of six months, during which time the PC or other local organisations were able to submit Expressions of Interest setting out how the site could be used for community purposes.

The PC endorsed the CLT's decision to proceed as the lead on this acquisition. After prolonged negotiations with Somerset County Council, a successful grant negotiation with Power to Change and change of use planning approval from South Somerset District Council, the acquisition of the site (exchange of contracts) finally took place at 3.00pm on 3rd May 2019, at which moment and coincidentally the bells of St Barnabas rang out - a wonderful omen. The board then agreed that the site should in future be known as "The Old School".