The proposals mean that Bonington Infant and Nursery School on the Crabtree Farm Estate and Rufford Junior School on Hoewood Road would cease to exist.

Bonington Junior School and Rufford Infant and Nursery Schools would extend their age range so that both would cater for youngsters aged from three to 11.

Both would, therefore, become primary schools – Bonington with 420 places and Rufford with 210 – and they would incorporate the buildings of the schools to close.

The newly-formed primaries would have full-time equivalent (FTE) nurseries – Bonington with 60 places and Rufford with 30 places.

Primary schools are seen to offer advantages over separate infant and nursery schools.

This is because parents only need to apply for a place once for their children, instead of having to move them to a new school at the age of seven.

The council's lead member for children's services, Coun David Mellen (Lab), said the proposals would help to continue their aim of reducing surplus places in primary schools while retaining schools at the heart of the community.

Other plans affecting Bulwell include increasing the capacity of Hempshill Hall Primary and Nursery School from 357 to 420 with a 60-place FTE nursery.

At St Mary's Church Of England Primary School, the capacity would be increased from 294 to 315 with a 45-place FTE nursery.

Snape Wood and Springfield Primary and Nursery Schools would be retained as 210-place primaries with 30-place FTE nurseries.

Cantrell Primary School would have 420 places, including an FTE nursery for 60 youngsters.

Our Lady of Perpetual Succour Roman Catholic Primary School would have 210 places with a 25-place FTE nursery.

Part of the Rufford catchment area would switch to Bonington while Cantrell Primary and Nursery would take a small strip of the St Mary's catchment area.

Consultation meetings about the proposed changes have been taking place.

Question booklets have been sent to all parents and carers of pupils at the schools concerned and these will also be available to view and download at www.nottingham-city.gov.uk

Further information is available from Nottingham City Council's School Organisation Team on 0115 9150906 or by e-mail via sot@nottinghamcity.gov.uk