PARENTS are set to be given their say on ambitious plans which could see a York school sold to make way for a new one.

City of York Council is considering merging Carr Infant and Junior Schools, in Acomb, by creating one large primary school, which would be opened in September 2006.

The proposals have been sparked by the retirement of Carr Junior School head teacher Gordon Rusk, who is to leave this August.

Kevin Hall, the council's assistant resource management director, said in a report that two options were being considered for the future of the schools.

One was to sell off the site of Carr Infant School, with some of the cash used to extend and improve the existing junior school building.

The second would be to recruit a new head teacher and keep the schools operating as they were.

Education boss Councillor Carol Runciman is being asked to approve a proposal to put the options out for public consultation, at a meeting with her advisory panel on May 17.

Today she told the Evening Press: "There's no decision about whether to sell anything or not to sell anything.

"But it has to be possible that a school could be sold."

She said it was "critical" that the flourishing nursery at Carr Infant School should continue in the event the school was sold off,

A new school would require a nursery with places for 52 children.

Both schools have unfilled places, with a 24 per cent shortfall at Carr Infant and a 30 per cent shortfall at the junior school. Projected pupil figures for the next three years predict more youngsters taking up places at the schools, with a 23 per cent combined surplus in 2008.

The suggested capacity for a new primary school would be 420 places, with provision made for expansion if needed. Council chiefs say a new school would bring savings of £100,000 a year.

Plans to upgrade Carr Junior School, built in the 1940s, include modernisation, and installing a lift to the first floor.

Updated: 11:00 Monday, May 09, 2005