RADCLIFFE Infants and Junior Schools will become one and NOT close. That's the reassuring message from headteacher Mrs Chris Heald.

Since the local education authority put out proposals to address falling pupil numbers, it was feared some parents were under the impression the two schools were closing and prospective parents of pre-school children in particular seemed to be looking elsewhere to educate their children.

Mrs Heald, head of Radcliffe Infants, said: "We are worried that parents think that the schools are closing and that is not the case. It is proposed that the schools be unified as one primary school to bring in line with other primary schools in the borough. All that will change is the name and it will not affect the pupils in any way."

She added: "So parents interested in sending their children to the schools or to the nursery should get in touch like they would normally.

"There are places in the nursery and in the schools where the children will receive a good education."

Mrs Heald said that the "unification" of both schools would benefit both pupils and teachers in providing job security and would become more cost effective.