THE oldest school in Calne is to close next week after 148 years in the wake of a poor Ofsted report.

When Guthrie Infants School closes its gates for the last time next Tuesday, they will never reopen.

Founded in 1854, it is being merged with a neighbouring school to form St Dunstan Primary.

The closure marks the end of an era in the town, but pupils, staff and parents are optimistic. Acting headteacher Mary Smith said: "I genuinely think people are pleased there is now a sense of purpose and direction at the school.

"It is the end of an era, but it's not necessarily a bad thing because there are so many positives.

"The parents seem very pleased the school has some stability and everyone I've spoken to appears to be very happy about the merger.

"It's a wonderful opportunity for the children."

Guthrie school was forced to take drastic action after an poor Ofsted inspection last September.

Inspectors placed it in special measures after it slipped into the bottom five per cent of the country for reading, writing and mathematics.

Many parents felt that stability crumbled when headteacher Maggie Watts retired because of illness last Easter, and her place was then filled by a string of temporary replacements.

Mrs Smith, headteacher of St Dunstan for 12 years, was appointed as acting head of Guthrie, to prepare it for the merger. She believes continuity and flexibility will be the greatest assets of the new school.