A business plan and the results from a consultation looking into merging three Royston schools have been sent to the Department for Education for consideration.

The proposal to merge Roysia and Greneway middle schools and Meridian School into a 9-18 through school on the existing Garden Walk sites is currently being considered.

The consultation consisted of public meetings, drop-in sessions and feedback forms, where 163 parents responded.

Of the respondents, 40 per cent were in favour of going ahead with the merger plans, 49 per cent were against and 11 per cent were indifferent.

Feedback also confirmed that educating children in age-appropriate surroundings is important to parents, which is something the board plan to continue to provide.

The proposed plan is for younger pupils to be accommodated in one part of the site which is separate from the older students, similar to the current arrangement within Greneway and Meridian.

The chair of Royston School Academy Trust, Carol Boston, said: “I am excited by the progress that has been made to date following the wide consultation last term.

“We eagerly await confirmation in the new year from the Department for Education, which will enable us to continue our planning for September to provide the best solution for the community of Royston.”

In a letter addressed to parents across the RSAT schools, Carol said: “We will keep you updated on how you can be involved in this process because it is our intention to work closely with you and the local community to ensure you have an outstanding school in Royston.”

The new school will work in alliance with Knights Templar, which will offer a range of A-level and vocational programmes with free travel for Royston students for the two-year A-level courses at the Baldock school.

This comes following the announcement of Meridian’s sixth form closure last month.

At the time, headteacher Tim Litchfield said: “I am delighted that we will be forming an alliance with the schools in Royston to provide their A-level provision.

“We are delighted to be able to support a neighbouring community in this way to ensure the provision of a first-class sixth form education for both Royston and Baldock students.”