THE possibility of merging two primary schools should be considered by officers tackling falling pupil numbers in Haxby and Wigginton, according to a York councillor.

Councillor Gerald Dean is to ask City of York Council to look at the idea of merging Oaken Grove and Ralph Butterfield Primary Schools.

The move comes after a proposal to close Oaken Grove was revealed by the council earlier this year, sparking the formation of a parents' action group to keep the school open.

The Haxby and Wigginton area is suffering from a fall in its school-age population, and council officers are now drawing up proposals for councillors during the summer before consulting with parents.

Coun Dean is to raise the issue in tonight's full council meeting.

He will suggest that the two school sites are sold to provide an up-to-date new merged school.

Coun Dean said the idea should be explored as one of the options, although he said he and the Conservative group had no particular location in mind.

Collette Eales, spokeswoman for the Oaken Grove Parents' Action Group, said: "I know lots of parents have considered that if one school has to go, the best option is merger between two.

"I think merger might be better than out-and-out closure of one.

"I find it stunning that anyone would suggest a completely new building rather than using one of the two sites available.

"What we want to see is our school to stay open with improved numbers, but the more options that are considered the better for everybody in Haxby and Wigginton, and the more chance of a rational decision being made."

Beverley Scanlon, principal education planning officer, said the officers' report for councillors would include information about the existing situation.

It would also set out various options that could be taken, and officers could include Coun Dean's suggestion.

She said: "The report will also contain options about what might happen on the Oaken Grove site if the school was to close and about possible community use of the site."

janet.hewison@ycp.co.uk

PICTURE: Gerald Dean: merger idea