STAFF, parents, governors and the community of two Worcester schools will get the chance to have their say on a proposed merger at meetings this week.

Worcestershire County Council wants to hear people's views on its plans to combine Northwick Manor infants and junior schools into a single primary school.

Meetings for the infants school have been arranged for tomorrow and the junior school on Thursday, July 5.

The meetings for parents and the community take place at 7pm and everyone is urged to attend.

Councillor Liz Eyre, cabinet member for children and young people, said: "Having discussed this matter with the schools, we feel they are very willing to share their expertise and resources and are looking forward to achieving a vision that will further enable them to raise education standards and their achievements.

"However, we must have a clear vision of how this is to be achieved. We want the views of everyone involved with the schools to make sure that these two schools continue to be both popular and successful."

The idea to merge the two is in line with county council policy where infant and junior schools share a site and if one of the headteachers decides to step down, which is the case with the junior school's Patricia Hird. Similar mergers have already been carried out at Perrywood and Warndon primary schools.

If the proposal is agreed a new primary school would open in September next year and cater for 90 pupils.

The consultation document for the proposed merger of the two schools is available at www.worcestershire.gov.uk/AskMeConsultation/ConsultationDetail.aspx?ConsultationId=3611>