PARENTS at a popular infants school in Kentish Town are campaigning to halt plans to merge with a junior school next door.

They were told last week that Torriano Infants School, in Torriano Avenue, could potentially be amalgamated over the summer with the junior school bearing the same name – but parents say they want the school to remain separate. 

The school received an unfavourable Ofsted report in 2012 and its headteacher has been on long-term sick leave. Ofsted says the school “requires improvement”, while the junior school is judged to be “outstanding”. 

But under the guidance of a new acting head, Amy Clifford, improvements have been made and parents say the infants school is thriving.

Parent Angela Hall, who has three children who attend both schools, said: “No one has yet explained why this is a good idea.”

Another parent, Maria Rolfe, added: “We have been told it may be to do with finances. Why have two heads when you can have one? But we feel strongly the infants should continue to have its own head, as it always has done.”

Her views were echoed by Sue Pantellis, who has two children in the junior school and one at the infants. 

She said: “I am happy with how it is at the moment. No one has explained the reasons as to why this is necessary, and it does not make sense to us. I am happy with the infants school and would like to see it remain as it is.”

Petition organiser Filiz Johnson said the school had had a temporary headteacher since 2012 who had done a very good job. Instead of talking about mergers, Camden Council should be making a permanent appointment and offering more support to the governing body. 

She said: “Acting head Amy Clifford has picked up the school and it has come on leaps and bounds.”

A meeting was held on Wednesday for parents to ask questions and quiz governors and school officials over how any changes would affect their children. 

An online petition against the move has gathered more than 100 signatures since news of the possible amalgamation became public last week.

Torriano junior school chair of governors  Luca Salice believes the changes could benefit the infants school. 

He said: “We have the same children, the same families use us and we are next door to each other. We have been rated outstanding by Ofsted and it is an opportunity to help. 

“The consultation is about asking people what they think of the idea and talking about how it could work.

“I can understand that restructures can make people nervous but there will be advantages for staff. If they stay for six or seven years in either the infants or the juniors, then it makes them less employable – people are looking for teachers who have experience of working in both.”