DEC to formally advertise schools' co-location

The public is being asked for feedback on plans for two primary schools to share one site.

The Department of Education and Children in formally advertising plans to co-locate St Thomas's Church of England Primary School and Scoill Vallajeelt from next year.

The DEC announced it was considering the move earlier this year as St Thomas's is oversubscribed for the 2018-19 academic year, while the Saddlestone school has room to spare.

The Department says extending St Thomas's would be difficult and expensive as it is surrounded on all four sides, while pupil numbers have been falling at Scoill Vallajeelt, which had a large extension built in 2005.

The advertisement will be placed later this week, inviting comment from local residents.

Both schools would retain their names, identities, headteachers and staff.