WHEATFIELDS Infant and Junior Schools are merging to form Wheatfields Primary School later this year. The new school will formally open in September 2006 with around 500 pupils aged 4 to 11, although this number is expected to drop over time to around 4

WHEATFIELDS Infant and Junior Schools are merging to form Wheatfields Primary School later this year.

The new school will formally open in September 2006 with around 500 pupils aged 4 to 11, although this number is expected to drop over time to around 420.

The headteacher will be Dr Chris Marshall, who is currently running the infant and junior schools.

The amalgamation continues the county council's policy of merging separate infant and junior schools which currently share a site to form all-through primary schools.

Councillor Roy Pegram, cabinet member for planning and development and one of the local members for St. Ives, said: "The scheme has educational as well as managerial benefits, but our first priority is the education of the pupils at the two schools.

"The benefits of this amalgamation include a smooth, seemless progression for all pupils and improved continuity for pupils with special educational needs. It is seen as a natural transition from the current close working arrangement between the two schools."

Dr Marshall added: "I am delighted that final approval has been given to the plans. The infant and junior schools worked very closely together for many years, so it makes sould educational and economic sense to merge the two formally.