A NEW primary school could be formed as part of a merger plan.

Wickford Infants School and neighbouring Wickford Junior School, on the same site, could join forces.

A consultation will be launched so parents can give the views on the proposals, which need to be given the go ahead by Essex County Council.

Terry Fitman, headteacher at Wickford Junior School, believes the merger with benefit both infant and junior school pupils.

He said: “I think it can very beneficial to have a primary school instead of two separate schools.

“I think it can assure parents that their children will be at the same school throughout their primary school education.

“A primary school will just give us that integrated education for the children.

“It is difficult to comment on definite plans at the current time as it is very early in the process and it is of course still subject to change.

“At the moment there are no plans to change the current buildings that we use for the schools and we plan to still operate from the two buildings but under the name of a primary.

“The way this would work is that the children of infant school age would be in the infant school building and the same with the junior school children.”

Don Morris, Tory councillor for Wickford Castledon, said he supports the merger.

He said “If it is done right then there will be no problem.

“Making two schools into one can help the children and especially it can help the very bright children as it is easier to move the very bright children up through the school classes.

“I know that in the North of the country there are schools that have young people from the age of five to 18 and I would be looking to do this if I was designing schools.

“I think we need to be making sure that we give our children the best education possible as it is our children who will become the future.”

David Harrison, Wickford Independents councillor Wickford Park, said he has some concerns about the proposals.

He added: “I think this could cause problems with intake from other schools.

“At the moment the Wickford Junior School can take children from other infant schools in Wickford but if these two school became a primary school this would stop.

“I think as long as it doesn’t cause problems with intake and as long as children from independent infant schools have places to go it will not be a problem.”