Plans for a new super-school in Abingdon look to be losing favour with education chiefs.

Many parents are worried at the option of creating a school for three- to 19-year-olds by combining Dunmore Infants and Junior schools with Fitzharrys secondary school - and have been promised their opposition will be heeded.

Another option is combining the two Dunmore schools to create an all-through primary.

Michael Waine, Oxfordshire County Council's cabinet member for school improvement, said: "Should consultation responses continue to show little support for the three-19 option, I will expect officers to be recommending to the cabinet in January that this option should not be adopted.

"This view is shared by the headteacher and governors of Fitzharrys."

Mr Waine said it was important that the public consultation on both options continued as planned until December 22, so that everyone had an opportunity to respond.

He said a 'status quo' option had not been included in the consultation as it was not considered the best way to secure and sustain effective leadership of the junior school - which is in special measures.

He added: "Whatever the outcome of the consultation, primary education will continue on the existing sites.

"There will be little if any disruption to the children, who will be taught by the same teachers in the same classrooms."

Bruce Kennedy, of the Dunmore Action Committee, said: "We are pleased to see that the Fitzharrys option is looking unlikely to go much further.

"Now we have to concentrate our efforts on seeing that we get the best possible outcome for our children in a new merged junior and infants school."