PLANS for a merger between two independent schools have been dropped just weeks after they were announced.

Queen Mary's School, at Baldersby Park, Topcliffe, a girls' school, looked set to become co-educational after proposing closer ties with neighbouring prep school, Cundall Manor.

Peter Philips, the head of Cundall, at Helperby, had already said that he was delighted to be offered the post of joint head of both schools.

However, following further consideration, the partnership has fallen through and governors of Queen Mary's, have said they acted too hastily.

Susan Cunliffe Lister, head of governors at Queen Mary's, said: "We saw a window of opportunity and approached Cundall to see if we could join forces. At first, it seemed a good idea and we informed the parents so that any rumours wouldn't get out of hand.

"However, we had not explored the idea enough and later realised that it wasn't going to work. It was a joint decision between the schools for the merger not to go ahead.

"We have written to parents informing them, explaining that it has become a more complicated matter than we first envisaged."

A Queen Mary's parent, who declined to be named, said: "Peter Philips came to a meeting at our school and the feeling among the parents was amazing.

"It wasn't that they were against the merger but against the way the governors had handled it.

"They had rushed in and we were left feeling confused."

The Northern Echo was unable to speak to a governor at Cundall Manor.

However, a teacher, who also declined to be named, said: "Cundall is on the up and up, and Peter Philips has bought in some wonderful principles.

"There is tremendous parent support and it came as no surprise when Queen Mary's originally approached us for the merger."

Queen Mary's headteachers, Ian and Margaret Angus, retire at Christmas and the governors have asked former principals, Peter and Felicity Belward, to run the school until a new head takes over.

Mr Belward said: "We will want a good relationship with Cundall Manor and I am confident that everybody else feels the same way."