Family services such as health clinics, ante-natal groups and social work could one day be located within a new centre at Milber Junior and Infant Schools, the merger of which was announced this week.

Bowing to parent pressure, Devon County Council has agreed to keep the existing two site arrangement, but next April it wants to introduce just one headteacher, one governing body and what it described as 'one clear vision'. The council also intends to 'investigate' the possibility of new buildings and the development of 'children's centre services'. The news has been warmly welcomed by the headteacher credited with turning around the failing junior school. Kate Liley was appointed in 2003, just as the school was being put under special measures following a damning Ofsted inspection. She said she would love to be involved in the new project and told the Advertiser: 'It's just a fantastic opportunity. I agree with the county's idea for one clear vision, one ethos, one staff and one governing body as it will allow us to provide a continuity in our children's education.' Miss Liley said the prospect of additional services coming to the school was also one to be celebrated. 'There could eventually be a whole range of facilities here provided by different organisations such as health and social services. It makes sense to have them where they are accessible to the community,' she said. Miss Liley speculated that in the future other services such as a visiting library, adult education and a job seekers' group could also be found on the campus, but stressed the need for early consultation. 'These ideas must all be worked on in depth with parents and the community here in Buckland before anything is decided on,' she said. 'There is definitely no blueprint as yet.' Cllr Gordon Hook, chairman of the infant school board of governors, also welcomed the news, describing it as 'the best deal Buckland could have hoped for'. He said he would fight to ensure 'the very best education possible' and that he had the greatest respect for all the staff who worked on the two sites. The proposals are likely to be considered by the independent Devon School Organisation Committee on July 19.