March 1, 2001 13:19: THE amalgamation of two Princes Risborough schools could be given the green light by the end of the month.

Education chief for Buckinghamshire County Council Mike Appleyard will decide whether to go ahead with the amalgamation of Berryfield Infant School in Berryfield Road and Icknield Junior School in Wellington Avenue if no complaints are received by the county council.

It is county policy to amalgamate infant and junior schools where possible because it means fewer changes and more stability for children.

Cllr Appleyard, cabinet member for schools, recently approved the publication of notices to establish a new combined school of 360 places on the Icknield site by September 2002.

The first consultation period with interested parties has passed and the county council is now in the process of the second phase of the amalgamation process.

But if the council receives just one objection from a Buckinghamshire County Council tax-payer, the matter will have to be resolved by a schools organisation committee.

A temporary governing body was set up this week to oversee the proposed amalgamation.

The present governing bodies will stay in force until the schools are discontinued in December but the temporary governing body will be able to address problems, such as the appointment of teachers and new buildings on the site.

John Mason, a governor of Icknield School, is the new chairman and governor of Berryfield School, Sue Lewis, is the vice-chairman.

Mr Mason said: "There are going to be problems but we hope to be able to come up with reasonable solutions."

Advertisements for the position of headteacher were published today.

Parents have expressed some concerns over the amalgamation but most are happy to see proposals go ahead.

Claire Webb, who has children at Icknield, said: "It's a good idea having everyone at the same school.

"I can't understand why people might be against it."

Her views were echoed by Mrs Shepperd, who also has children at Icknield School.

She said: "It's a good idea. Some parents have to pick up children form both schools at the moment.

"It will mean children won't have to change and they can stay in this one up to secondary school."

But one parent, while welcoming the change was concerned at possible disruption to her child while building work at Icknield went on.

The county council believes that changing schools can hinder a child's education by up to nine months and is broadly in favour of amalgamation.

Head of school organisation for the county council David Ayres said the schools' governing bodies thought it was right to amalgamate.

He said: "We have falling school rolls in the primary schools. Governing bodies felt that the number of children coming through wasn't felt to be viable to provide the right quality of education."

A number of issues have still to be addressed if the amalgamation goes ahead, not least with problems concerning traffic in Wellington Road.

Cllr Reg Orsler of Princes Risborough Town Council said parents already parked their cars all the way along Wellington Avenue and in Shortborough Avenue.

He added: "It's going to be a big problem if not addressed."

Mr Ayres said the education department was going to work with planners to look at ways of ensuring it was safe for pedestrians and not troublesome for local residents.

He said: "We need to show that we haven't contributed to a problem when we submit the planning application."

Joe Slade