A CONSULTATION is underway to merge two schools for primary pupils.

Shotley Bridge Junior School and Shotley Bridge Infant School are to amalgamate under the plans, but will continue to use both sites.

Durham County Council intends to make the schools run as one suitable for children aged four up to 11.

If it goes ahead Shotley Bridge Primary School is due to open in September.

Rachel Shimmin, corporate director of children and adults service at Durham County Council, said: “Where possible the local authority is taking the opportunity to amalgamate infant and junior schools as they have wider educational benefits for pupils, parents and staff than separate infant and junior schools.

“Establishing a single primary school is more sustainable in the long term as changes to the way schools are funded in the future could impact on small schools.”

The current capacity of the infant school is for 180 pupils and the junior school has space for 210 children, a total of 390.

The new school will have room for 420 youngsters and the proposed admission number will be 60.

All services offered by the existing schools will continue if the merger is approved by the council’s cabinet.

Caroline O’Neill, the council’s head of education, said: “We are confident that this action will lead to a rapid increase in key stage two.”

Last month, OFSTED inspectors rated the junior school as ‘requires improvement’ - down from 'good' during its last inspection in 2010.

Martin Bell, headteacher of the infants, who has been acting headteacher of the junior school since June, said: “I am really excited by the proposals, which are a tremendous opportunity to address the issues outlined in the report and will establish the school as one providing high quality education.”

The infant school was also graded ‘good’ in 2010 and an interim assessment in 2013 found the standards had been maintained.

People have until February 5 to make their views known about the proposals at County Hall in Durham or by emailing schoolorganisation@durham.gov.uk

Alternatively, people can log on to www.durham.gov.uk/article/5142