Plans to amalgamate two neighbouring schools have moved a step closer following a positive response from a small number of staff and parents.

Medway Council is seeking to merge Luton Infant and Nursery School and Luton Junior School in a bid to establish a "seamless" education for pupils and reduce costs.

Nearly 90% of respondents supported the proposal during the informal consultation, although only 35 responses were received – and 22 of those were from members of staff at both schools.

Nearly a third of respondents also expressed concerns about job losses and alterations to the senior leadership teams.

The council has accepted some changes will have to be made, but insists they will be “positive” in the long run.

Cabinet members agreed last Tuesday to launch a formal consultation between June 24 and July 21 and, subject to there being no objections, allow the amalgamation to be signed off by council officers.

If agreed, the school will be rebranded Luton Primary School and Nursery.

It will also inherit Luton Junior School’s “outstanding” Ofsted rating as Luton Infant School is “technically closing”.

The changes were due to take effect this September, but have now been delayed until April 2020 to “enable sufficient time to align governance and procedures in the two schools” and create a single staffing structure.

Council papers suggest the infant school is currently in a financially “deficit situation”, while the juniors need to “address a potential reduction in reserves predicted for the next two to three years”.

It believes the amalgamation will give “more opportunity” to “consolidate, re-profile and stabilise” the situation.

Cllr Martin Potter (Con), portfolio holder for education and schools, said: “It will achieve a seamless transition for the children from the infant to the junior school as it will be one organisation.

“There will also be a collaboration and sharing of expertise between infant and junior staff – again, because it will be one organisation.”

What do you think of the plan? Email medway@thekmgroup.co.uk