The Shepton Mallet-based head of therapy for a new specialist school that has been given the go-ahead by government inspectors Ofsted to open in January, says she can't wait to start making a difference to students' lives.

The team at the Levels School, including head of therapy Claire Thomas of Shepton Mallet, say they are delighted that children can start being taught in the school at Ashcott from January 4, now that Ofsted has given the organisation the green light, following checks that all schools have to undertake before they open.

The school will specialise in teaching children with dyslexia and other learning difficulties, and it was given approval locally by Sedgemoor District Council in August.

Claire told Shepton Mallet Nub News: "I am so excited that after eight months of hard work we have been granted our department of education registration number and can now open in January.

"It is a really exciting time for the staff and students who are all looking forward to a new start in the new year.

"It has been a really long process and we are so thankful for the parents and students who have stuck with us and supported up to enable us to get the school up and running.

"We are really proud that we have managed to create a dyslexic and anxiety friendly school and we are looking forward to welcoming our first students in January.

"I am dyslexic and I never thought I would have the opportunity to create a school where we can teach dyslexic children how I know they need to be taught - it really is amazing.

"The thing I am looking forward to most is the first assembly on the first day of school and seeing all the faces of the children we have been working to create this school for."

Head teacher Caroline Cook said: "The go-ahead from Ofsted is very exciting, we have been under immense pressure to get everything right, but now we have massive relief that we can start planning to open.

"Ofsted have to check every independent school to make sure all the staff are properly qualified, that appropriate safety measures in place and that we can provide what we are promising.

"It is not a grading system, you either pass or fail, so we are delighted that we have proven that the Levels School is going to be a great place to learn."

Caroline said that initially there will be nearly 30 pupils being taught at the former Millfield boarding house Etonhurst in Ashcott, but they are hoping to have 35 by Easter, and with deposits already being taken for the next school year, the hopes are high that nearly 40 children will be on the books in September.

Founder Bradley Middleton said: "We haven't got where we are today in a day, it has taken a huge amount of effort as a team.

"Everyone around me has played their part in getting us to the point where we can open and have crossed the final hurdle."

Bradley and Caroline expressed their thanks to the parents of children who will be coming to the school, and other supporters, who have been patient having to wait seven months for the Levels School to get registered.

To help the school get started, the Parents and Friends of the Levels School have set up a crowdfunding page to allow people to donate and support this enterprise, that was founded just as the coronavirus pandemic got underway.

To support the school, you can visit the crowdfunding page here.