A PLAN to amalgamate two primary schools in Stockton looks likely to go ahead despite concerns from parents.

English Martyrs RC Primary School and St Peter and St Paul RC Primary School provide education for Roman Catholic pupils aged three to 11, mainly from the Hardwick, Mile House and Roseworth areas of town.

The amalgamation is designed to secure the future of Catholic primary education in north Stockton after it was revealed the number of children attending RC schools is declining.

In January, the number of pupils, excluding nursery children, at English Martyrs was 113 while at St Peter and St Paul it was 170, but within ten years pupil numbers are expected to be down to 86 and 164 respectively.

A number of consultation exercises have been carried out between Stockton Borough Council and parents from both schools, who have expressed their concerns over an increase in class sizes, road safety and the timescale of opening a new school.

The amalgamation would create a 210 place, purpose-built RC-aided primary school.

Both schools, which are being run by acting headteachers, were inspected by Ofsted in June with positive outcomes.

A report to Stockton council's cabinet said: "Amalgamation involves the closure of both schools and the creation of a new school with a new name and governing body.

"The first option is to build a school on a new site, which has been identified as the vacant site fronting Durham Road and off Ketton Road.

"The second is to create a new school on the existing site of St Peter and St Paul by building additional classrooms and upgrading the facilities."

When the cabinet meets tomorrow, councillors are being asked to agree to the amalgamation on the St Peter and St Paul site, as it would minimise potential disruption and has received the widest support from parents.

The amalgamation is part of the council's policy to remove surplus primary school places to use education resources efficiently.