TWO North Yorkshire private schools are in talks to merge.

Discussions are at an advanced stage with a view to a merger of Ripon Cathedral Choir School with Cundall Manor School, near Thirsk In a joint statement Sir Thomas Ingilby, chairman of Governors for Cundall Manor School and The Very Rev Keith Jukes, Dean of Ripon Cathedral and governor for Ripon Cathedral Choir School said: “This is a superb, possibly once in a lifetime opportunity to create a school that will rival any in the North of England.

“It brings together the strengths of both schools across the academic, music, sports and arts arenas to make what we aim to be the leading independent school providing an outstanding education for boys and girls from ages three to 16.”

The school will be called Ripon Cundall Manor School and will be located at the existing Cundall Manor School site near Helperby, between York and Thirsk. Staff and pupils from Ripon Cathedral Choir School will move over from the start of the autumn term in September under the leadership of Cundall’s new head teacher, Richard Notman.

Mr Notman said: “There is a genuine synergy here, the strengths of the two schools ideally complement one another, Cundall’s sporting excellence blends perfectly with Ripon’s outstanding expertise in music. It is of significant importance that both schools place great value on the individual child, knowing them well and bringing out the very best in each and every one, meaning the very valuable and established cultures of both schools – ensuring every child fulfils their potential in a nurturing environment – will continue.”

The deal will see a considerable investment in new buildings and in the existing facilities at Cundall to accommodate the increased pupil numbers which will include a new state-of-the-art creative arts and music centre, enhanced boarding and communal facilities and significant development of ICT facilities across the entire curriculum. Ripon Cundall Manor School will continue to provide an education for Ripon Cathedral’s young choristers.

Cundall Manor was created more than 50 years ago and has seen considerable growth in recent years with nearing 400 children.

Ripon Cathedral Choir School was founded in 1960 and currently has 74 pupils between the ages of three and 13.