BALLAQUAYLE School and Murray's Road Junior School in Douglas are set to be amalgamated under one head teacher.

The Department of Education and Children has announced that Linda Green, the current head of Ballaquayle School, will lead both schools with immediate effect.  

It follows a decision by the head teacher of Murray's Road, Steve Taylor, to step down from his position following recent periods of ill health.

Mr Taylor, who has been in charge of the school for 15 years, will return to classroom teaching but this will not be at Murray's Road.

Martin Barrow, the director of education for the Department of Education and Children, said Mr Taylor's decision means the department can move forward with its long term aim of combining the two schools.

He explained: "The department feels there is much to gain from joining these schools under a single head teacher. In particular the move should ensure even greater continuity and consistency for the children as they move between the two sites.

"He (Mr Taylor) has taken a difficult decision and I know it has been significantly influenced by his wish to ensure that Murray's Road is able to move forward under consistent leadership."

The Department of Education and Children has said it will take the necessary action to formally amalgamate the schools in the coming months but that Linda Green would take over the headship with immediate effect.

Mrs Green, who has been head teacher at Ballaquayle School since 1998, said: "I am delighted and excited to have been given this opportunity to bring the two schools together.

"I see my role over the next year or so very much about establishing a single identity for the two schools so that pupils are able to progress smoothly from key stage one at Ballaquayle to key stage two at Murray's Road."

Mr Barrow added that the move to amalgamate the schools under one head teacher was not driven by money.

He explained: "This model was under consideration well before the current economic difficulties and the decision is based on educational rather than financial reasons.

"In the short term we see few if any financial saving from this and even in the longer term any saving is likely to be minimal."

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