GUTHRIE Infants' School, Calne, which was placed in the bottom five per cent of schools across the country for reading and writing, will cease to exist.

The school was last year placed in special measures, a status given by Ofsted inspectors who found 25 per cent of lessons unsatisfactory or poor.

The school is now to merge with St Dunstan Junior School, which will become a single primary school.

County councillor Jane Scott said the closure was in the best interests of the pupils.

"We are not closing the school as such. We are merging it with the junior school and that will become a primary school.

"This decision has not been taken because the school is in special measures but because we are finding generally that primary schools give better results," said Coun Scott.

In a report to the county council's cabinet, the chief education officer Bob Wolfson said both governing bodies back the proposal, staff and parents had been consulted and all 34 other responses received were favourable.

"The proposal offers the best way forward for securing high quality primary stage education for children, said Mr Wolfson.

"The proposals have the support of both governing bodies, and appear to have, subject to final written response returns, the support of parents and others with an interest in the school."

There has been no permanent headteacher at the school since Easter.

Jane Young, who has been acting headteacher since September, said that although it would be a sad time for the school it was also a very exciting time.

"It is exciting to be merging with St Dunstan and the majority of parents are in favour of it. It is exciting for both Guthrie and for St Dunstan," said Mrs Young, who leaves tomorrow.

When the pupils start back in January, Mary Smith, headteacher of St Dunstan, will take over as acting head.

The merger of the schools will take place before September 2002.

"Mrs Smith's appointment will help with the smooth running of the merger," said Mrs Young.

"It is hoped that pupils will start in their new classes at the start of the next school year."

The county council will issue a public notice.