PARENTS and teachers are being encouraged to have their say on plans to merge an infant and junior school.

Southend Council wants to hear people’s views on amalgamating Chalkwell Hall Infants School and Chalkwell Hall Junior School as one school - creating “Chalkwell Hall Primary School”.

There is a vacancy for a headteacher at Chalkwell Hall Junior School – with interim arrangements in place - and on September 15 the council’s cabinet agreed to start a formal consultation.

The first phase of the consultation has now started and will be live for five weeks until November 13.

Parents or carers of children attending the two schools, of young children who may be considering attending the schools, school governors and others can share their views.

Anne Jones, councillor responsible for children and learning, said: “The consultation is seeking views on the proposed plans, including whether or not you support the plans, and reasons why you have come to that decision.

“This consultation is just one of the steps along a detailed process. Following the consultation, the results will be compiled into a report which will then be reviewed and discussed by the council’s cabinet.

“It is really important that we hear from as many people connected to the two schools as possible.”

In a cabinet report in September, it was highlighted that existing council policy supports the amalgamation of separate infant and junior schools that operate on the same site, where possible.

The council stated last month that potential benefits to the amalgamation include better outcomes for pupils over time and parents would not need to apply for junior school admission.

However, it was described as a “sensitive” process.

The outcome of the consultation will be considered at a future cabinet meeting.

Visit www.southend.gov.uk/ChalkwellConsultation to take part.