Glum faces all round yesterday at a press conference held to discuss the fate of St Andrew’s Primary and St Sampson’s Infant Schools. Left to right are communications manager Nicky Bougourd, Education minister Carol Steere and director of Education Derek Neale. (Picture by Steve Sarre, 0698973)

ST SAMPSON’S Infant School will know its fate by the end of the month.

The Education Department today released its report on the Rationalisation of the Primary Sector, which details its argument for the closure of the school in July 2010.

Education Minister Carol Steere said the issue had divided the board.

‘This has not been an easy decision and not all Education Board members are in agreement, but these are the department’s recommendations to the Assembly and it will be for the States members to decide,’ she said.

She added that the proposed closure was in keeping with the Government Business Plan.

‘All States departments have signed up to the Government Business Plan and one of its priorities is to maximise the return on investment in education provision – that is what we are doing by recommending the closure of St Sampson’s Infants School.’

It is also in keeping with Education’s policy of merging infant and junior schools to create primary schools as the opportunity arises.