Parents at two Norwich schools are being given the opportunity to have their say about proposals to create a new primary school in Norfolk.

Parents at St Thomas More Catholic Junior School, in Jessopp Road, and St John's Catholic Infant School, in Heigham Road, were told of possible plans to merge the two schools.

The proposals could see one of the existing schools being expanded or a new school being built.

Kim Payne, headteacher of both schools, said: 'From an educational perspective, the possible merger would mean greater continuity for children because at the moment they have to move and re-establish themselves.

'It will also be better for the staff. Sometimes we feel that we are just getting to know the children and they move on somewhere else. It would be good for social interaction between older and younger children.'

The schools are currently federated and share a headteacher.

From September this year they will also share a governing body.

Mrs Payne said: 'Even if we didn't amalgamate, we will still have one governing body and one headteacher.

'The governors will look at the responses.

'The decision is the local authority's.'

A letter sent to parents said: 'The amalgamation would be achieved by both schools closing and the new primary school opening at the earliest on September 1, 2012. All children currently attending both schools would be offered places in the new school.

'The school would open with 17 classes initially. This would be reduced to 14 over a period of three years.'

Parents have until October 14 to share their views with the governors.

lucy.wright@archant.co.uk