PEOPLE power won the day as Swindon Council threw out proposals to turn two schools into one.

Councillors voted unanimously against bringing Colebrook infant and junior schools together, to the delight of dozens of protesters who voiced their objections.

Those speaking on behalf of the Coleview schools expressed concern at the expense involved and whether it would be difficult to attract a headteacher to take over the new school.

Colebrook Infant School governor Nigel Whelan said: “We wish to work with the local authority. We believe rushing through an amalgamation wouldn’t benefit the school or the community. It will need more detailed planning.”

The schools involved are next door to each other and fit into the council’s policy to amalgamate infant and junior schools into an all-purpose primary school where possible. The council said the idea is to improve standards of welfare and achievement for pupils.

Surplus capacity at Colebrook Infant School is currently at 26 per cent, above the 25 per cent limit, and the headteacher of the junior school has moved leaving the post vacant – both criteria to activate the policy.

Lead member for children’s services, Coun Garry Perkins, said the scheme had proved to work at other schools in Swindon and that academic progress had not suffered.

“All of them have been accepted as positive moves for the school, in fact there have been educational benefits for having one school,” he said.

He said he had been in discussions with the school governors over whether there were enough funds to assist such a move, but proposed no further action be taken on the issue.

Although Mr Perkins accepted the schools’ buildings needed updating, he said that £300m had already been spent in capital programmes in schools over the last few years and Colebrook was not at this time in greatest need.

“There is a need to delay this move at this stage and the schools are academically very good,” he said.

“The thing that determines discussions I’m involved in is whether it promotes academic growth for students.

“Every child only has one chance for education.”