PLANS to unite two York primary schools have been given the go-ahead.

Governors at Derwent Infant and Derwent Junior Schools, in Osbaldwick, have given their seal of approval to plans for the two schools to join forces and "federate", after a consultation with parents who supported the move.

This means both schools will have one overall governing body and one head teacher, but maintain separate budgets. The governors believe this would provide stability and clear direction for education on the school site, following the early retirement of Phil Hare, the head teacher of the junior school.

There are currently 114 children at the infant school and 107 at the juniors. Infant school head teacher Carole Torode is acting head and will officially become the new head teacher from the start of the autumn term, in September.

She is supported by a deputy head teacher at the infants, Ann Angood, and by deputy head David Lilley at the juniors, as well as school business manager Carole Tuck. Mrs Tuck said: "Everyone at the school is really pleased about it especially the parents and community.

"Carole Torode has a very good reputation for her teaching and everybody is just delighted she's got the job.

"It's going to be a fresh challenge for Mrs Torode because she'll be managing two schools instead of one, but it's a positive thing that's happening and there will be benefits for both schools."

Members of City of York Council's Children' Services Advisory Panel agreed to support the federation of two schools at a recent meeting.

The governing bodies reviewed the results of the consultation with parents and stakeholders at a meeting on July 6 and decided to go ahead with the federation after there were no objections.

In March, The Press reported that councillors had backed similar plans for two schools in west York.

Our Lady's Roman Catholic Primary School, and English Martyrs' Roman Catholic Primary School, which take pupils from the Acomb, Holgate, Dringhouses, Woodthorpe, Westfield and Micklegate wards, now operate with one head teacher and under one joint governing body. Both schools had struggled to recruit a Roman Catholic head teacher, due to a national shortage of suitable candidates.

Under the present plan, pupils will continue to be taught by teachers in their own schools and not have to travel between sites.

Eileen Fitzpatrick, the present head teacher of both schools, is leaving at the end of this term, and it is hoped a merged school would attract a high-calibre replacement.