Two 'outstanding' schools in St Albans have been given the go-ahead to join together.

Currently St Alban and St Stephen Catholic Infant and Nursery School takes pupils between the ages of three and seven.

And St Alban and St Stephen Catholic Junior School takes youngsters who are aged seven to 11.

But now the schools – which already have a federated governing body – have been told they can merge from September, after a meeting of the county council’s cabinet backed the plans.

At that meeting executive member for education, libraries and localism Cllr Terry Douris said the proposal had come from the schools’ federated governing body.

The governing body is said to believe a single  school will provide “a consistent approach” to each child’s primary education.

And Cllr Douris told members at the meeting, on Monday (January 20) it would provide pupils with a “more rounded” education.

“It makes absolute good sense to combine these schools and to merge them together so that there is a single school – offering a through primary education facility for children within that area,” he said.

“... I think it will also have some financial benefits going forward but that’s not the principal reason; it is to provide a more rounded education facility in that area for those children attending these schools.”

Technically the plans will involve the closure of the infant and nursery school, and an increase in the age range of the junior school from 3 to 11.

Public consultation on the proposals was held between September 30 and October 25 last year (2019).

It was reported to the cabinet that 77 per cent of the 13 responses received as part of the initial consultation were in favour.

During the statutory consultation that followed, between November 8 and December 6, there was just one response in favour and one against.

The objection suggested the plans would increase traffic in the area  – pointing to the potential for an additional 120 cars.

But in response officers say the amalgamated school would continue to offer the same number of school places, so no increase in traffic flow is anticipated.