Sir – Our current consultation on the proposal to merge Botley Primary School and the Elms Road Nursery School and Children’s Centre has provoked passionate debate. It is regrettable that the debate has been fuelled, on occasions by information which is inaccurate.

I should like to take this opportunity, through your pages, to make clear that the proposal does not mean an end to maintained nursery provision in Botley! The proposed 'closure' of the present nursery is a statutory term and part of the process of combining the present primary and nursery schools. If the proposal proceeds, nursery provision would be delivered by the new, merged, school. The merger will enable a more co-ordinated approach to both education and management of available funds. The Children's Centre will also carry on serving the local community from the school site. The proposal is driven by our belief that it represents the best means of securing the best possible provision for children in that community.

Michael Waine, Cabinet member for school improvement, Oxfordshre County Council