Two primary schools are set to be merged as part of work to tackle hundreds of unfilled school places in Worthing.

West Sussex County Council said declining pupil numbers mean that around 1,500 primary school places are unfilled across the borough, which it said makes it difficult for schools to plan for the future and make best use of staffing and resources.

Following an eight-week consultation that suggested a variety of proposals, the council said there was “overwhelming support” for plans to amalgamate Chesswood Junior School and Lyndhurst Infant School into one “all-through” primary school on the Chesswood site, leaving Springfield Infants as a standalone school.

The possible inclusion of Springfield in the merger caused uproar from parents, teachers and pupils, who launched a campaign to save the primary school.

MP for East Worthing and Shoreham Tim Loughton also objected to the proposal for Springfield’s amalgamation.

Councillor Nigel Jupp, cabinet member for learning and skills, has taken the decision to proceed with the merger of the two schools subject to a call-in period.

After this, there will be a further six-week consultation where everyone involved will have the opportunity to have a say on details of the planned amalgamation of Chesswood and Lyndhurst.

“I am pleased to be able to take the decision to move forward with an “all-through” school, amalgamating Chesswood Junior and Lyndhurst Infants, while keeping Springfield Infants as a standalone school, with the support of the community as demonstrated through our consultation,” said Cllr Jupp.

“It follows the previous decisions following the consultation to reduce pupil admission numbers across six primary schools.

“It means we are on track to reduce the number of unfilled places as swiftly as possible, provide greater stability and ensuring we maintain the best possible environment in which our children can learn and fulfil their potential.”

The council said it will continue to explore options to create a new eight-place special support centre at either Downsbrook Primary or Whytemead Primary schools, to provide additional places for children with special educational needs and disabilities.

A final decision following the six-week consultation is due in late spring, after which further discussions with all schools in the borough will follow, with time to work through details of the arrangements for the “all-through” school to start admitting pupils from September 2024.