Education officials at West Berkshire Council are hoping local councillors will back their plan to combine Winchcombe Infants and Juniors into one school, even though most parents, teachers, governors, and unions are against the scheme.

With a predicted increase in empty desks in West Berkshire classrooms, largely due to a falling birthrate, the council hopes that by merging the two 1950s schools into one entity would eliminate any spare school places.

Similar proposals are underway in Thatcham and Calcot, but bungling officials botched the consultation scheme for Winchcombe, and failed to inform all local homes of the scheme until after a crucial public meeting last month.

Still, one in eight parents, staff and governors responded, voting almost entirely to keep the two schools run separately. Furthermore, 164 parents handed in a petition, as did 26 staff, while both boards of governors rejected the scheme.

Winchcombe Infants offered to sublet its spare classroom for childcare, which would bring its spare places into line, but education officials are seeking committee backing on Thursday at West Berkshire’s Market Street offices.

In favour of the move, a report to go before councillors suggests merging into a primary would improve academic performance, allow for extra facilities, like after school clubs, community facilities, and save the council around £80,000 a year from getting rid of one headteacher and deputy head. They have also promised that they will not sell off any playing fields.

The move comes as similar talks are underway to move Speenhamland School from its town centre site, to share the Castle School site a mile away in Donnington. Last year, officials also found themselves in hot water by moving part of Cold Ash from Kennet School into Trinity’s catchment, where GCSE and A level results are not as good.