TWO Swindon schools have united as a federation to pave the way for a full merger within the next couple of years.

Even Swindon Infant School and Even Swindon Junior School have joined forces to become the Even Swindon Schools Federation the first of its kind in Swindon.

Infant school head teacher Michael Keeling will take charge of both schools at Easter, with the departure of current junior head Keith Cozens.

The two schools, which are only a few hundred metres apart in Hughes Street and Pasture Close, formed their new relationship on January 1 and their new joint governing body met for the first time on January 5.

The move to federation status, established by the Government under the 2002 Education Act, is an attempt to reduce the number of surplus spaces at the junior school, which has been under-occupied since it moved to its current premises in 1997.

The junior school teaches pupils aged seven to 10, and the building will require adaptations before it can fully absorb the infant school, which takes children aged three to six.

Ian Mosley, of Swindon Council's education department ,said the schools would merge into a single primary school on the junior school site within the next two years, once the modifications were completed.

Headteacher Mr Keeling said the change to federation status would help raise standards in both schools.

"We will be able to share resources and space in a much more flexible way and improve progression and continuity between the two schools," he said.

"At the infant school we have a specialist unit for speech, language and communication difficulties, while the junior school has strengths in information technology.

"We'll be able to share this expertise across both schools to provide a better education for local children and development opportunities for staff."

Alan Gaunt, chairman of the new governing body, said the union would bring great benefits to both children and staff.

"Although the two schools remain separate for the time being, having a single governing body and headteacher will give us more flexibility over budgets and allow us to make improvements over time," he said.

The move was welcomed by Swindon councillor Garry Perkins (Con, Shaw and Nine Elms), lead member for education.

"This is a popular move, which will build on two good schools to create an even better education for local children," he said.

Kingsdown and Headlands secondary schools have also taken steps towards forming a federation.

Andy Tate