RELIEVED teachers have welcomed proposals to save primary schools in the Stonehouse area.

Education chiefs are proposing that Leonard Stanley Primary School remain open, King's Stanley infant and junior schools merge and Park Infant and Junior Schools stay open.

The proposals were revealed at a press conference at Gloucestershire County Council on Monday.

The future of the county's primaries has been under the spotlight since last spring.

Lin Hargreaves, head of King's Stanley Infants, was delighted by the news.

"The parents didn't want Leonard Stanley and King's Stanley to merge," she said.

"I know they are going to be very pleased that our community has been saved."

But she said it was too early to speculate about which of the two heads would retain their jobs when the merger takes place.

Cllr Jackie Hall, cabinet member for children, said parents' views had been taken into consideration.

"The proposals have focused the minds of people in villages as to what's important," she said.

"If you want a village school you've got to use it."

Six independent panels were set up in March last year to review primary education across Gloucestershire because of falling pupil numbers.

Among the options considered were closing schools and merging them with schools in other towns and villages.

But the Stonehouse schools under review have escaped a major upheaval.

Instead, the panel has recommended that an all-through primary school be created by amalgamating King's Stanley Infant and Junior schools. This will, however, mean a loss of 15 places.

The amalgamation, which will take place in 2008, is likely to see the new primary school located in the current King's Stanley Infant School.

Park Infant and Junior School will also remain open but will also lose 15 places.

Gloucestershire County Council's cabinet will make a decision about the recommendations, which will save more than £300,000, in February. Secondary schools are now likely to come under review, although no time frame has been decided.