Last updated at 12:55, Friday, 08 March 2013

A decision on whether Cockermouth’s Fairfield infant and junior schools will be merged will be made on June 6.

The two schools have been working on the project since November and held consultations with parents, staff and pupils before Christmas which produced positive comments.

Governors from both schools have also supported the proposals.

If the merger goes ahead a new Fairfield Primary School would be created from September. It would take an age range of three to 11 with a single headteacher.

The schools, which operate from two different buildings on Gallowbarrow, said comments from all parties had been very positive and said they foresaw no hurdles to amalgamation.

Children from all year groups at the two schools have submitted ideas for a new school logo. The best four have been chosen to be incorporated into a new design.

Ideas have included daffodils, the town’s rivers and buildings.

Pupils will also help to decide on a colour for their new uniform.

Throughout the rest of school year they will work together on several projects, merge the two school councils and develop an eco-group at the junior school.

Andrea Pattinson, headteacher at the infant school, said: “We are working to bring the children closer together. We want the transition to be as seamless as possible.”

Cumbria County Council approved the first stage of the merger process last month.

A major benefit would be that pupils will stay at the school throughout their primary education, as children enrolled at the infant school were previously not guaranteed junior places.

The single school would only receive one lump budget sum, offset by reduced headteacher costs.

Alex Wilkinson, headteacher at the junior school, said: “The amalgamation has been very well supported by pupils, staff and parents.

“We have two excellent schools and the merger will create an even stronger one.”

Both buildings will still be used and Mr Wilkinson said celebration events were planned to mark the end of the two separate schools.

First published at 12:41, Friday, 08 March 2013
Published by http://www.timesandstar.co.uk