PARENTS are claiming victory, after council chiefs look set to drop plans to merge two York schools.

Parents and governors at Carr Infant and Junior Schools in Acomb were asked for their views on the proposals to merge the two schools on the junior school site after letters were sent out to homes in June.

City of York Council received 94 replies, of which 65 were opposed to the merger, were in support, four had no view, and 13 agreed to the merger, but not using the old junior school building.

In addition, the council received a 114-name petition from parents worried their children's education would suffer if the junior school was adapted to hold both schools.

Currently, there are 378 youngsters on roll at the two schools, with 155 in the infants and 223 in the juniors.

The amalgamation was suggested following the retirement of the head teacher of Carr Junior School, Gordon Rusk, at the end of the summer term.

It was also in line with the council's policy to create primary provision where possible, rather than separate infant and junior schools, and reduce the number of surplus spaces at each school.

City education chief Councillor Carol Runciman said: "Admittedly this is a setback to our plans, but if this is what people want then I will listen to them."

Now education bosses are suggesting creating a Children's Centre on the junior school site to help provide a range of services for children and their parents of both schools. These could include health provision, social workers, and maternity care.

Patrick Scott, the council's director of Children's Services, said: "The consultation suggested that a merger would be welcomed if a brand new school building could be provided.

"Unfortunately, the council does not have the resources needed to achieve this. The establishment of a Children's Centre on the site, however, will do a great deal to improve services for children and families in the area."

Paul Ellis, the chairman of governors at Carr Infants, said: "The level of engagement from families and the wider community during the consultation process has been excellent, and we are pleased that City of York Council has listened to and acted on the concerns and views that were raised."

Ann McKeown, the head teacher of Carr Infants, also welcomed the planned integrated Children's Centre. She said: "I am delighted that this would help to build on the strengths identified in the recent Ofsted inspection of the infant school, where the school was judged to be 'a very effective school'. The school was found to be good or very good in all areas inspected - something the children, families, governors and staff can be very proud of."

Councillors will be asked to look into the possibility of developing a Sure Start Children's Centre at Carr Junior School as an alternative to the merger at a meeting of the executive member for Children's Services and Advisory Panel next Tuesday.

Updated: 10:18 Tuesday, October 11, 2005