A HEADTEACHER says she is excited about the prospect of two schools merging to "improve outcomes for children".

Sam Woodcock, headteacher of Iver Village Infant School, is eager for the school to merge with Richings Park Pre-School and parents are currently being consulted about the possible decision.

The pre-school, based at St Leonard's Hall in St Leonard's Walk, had been due to close in July as pre-school leader Liz Underwood is standing down after 16 years in the role.

Ms Woodcock and school governors viewed this as an opportunity to continue provision for children, rather than lose it.

She said: "It is a really big and exciting part of our journey to improve the outcomes for children. It is an opportunity to support the community and education of children in Richings Park and Iver.

"Parents have been positive about the process. We are making sure that provision continues in Richings Park."

If the merge were to take place it would mean the total number of pupils across the two sites would exceed 200.

Ms Woodcock added there would be no requirement for children attending the pre-school to continue on to the infant school in Grange Way, and all stake holders have been consulted, including parents of both schools and other nurseries in the area.

Both schools would remain at the current sites and the pre-school would come under the infant school's remit, managed by Ms Woodcock.

Mrs Underwood said she was sad to leave the pre-school, which has been running since 1966, but glad at the prospect of its future being secured.

She said: "I decided that I wanted to give it up. The job has changed so much in the years that I have led the pre-school. I very rarely get to spend time with the children because so much of it is paperwork.

"It came to the point that I have got to tell everyone that we had to close, and from there we had lots of interest and that is when the school came forward.

"I felt that that was the best, secure option for the pre-school. It is really good for the community that it is likely to carry on, for the children, parents and the staff."

Mrs Underwood added that parents came rushing forward to offer their support.

She said: "Some were willing to take courses to do so, and that was really nice. I don't think I realised how much a part of the community we are and how trusted we are."

The consultation will run until May 23, ahead of the proposed changes coming into effect in September.