Glasgow Academy has taken over Atholl Preparatory School in Milngavie in a merger formalising the association that has existed between the two schools for many years, writes Elizabeth Buie.

The move will mean that the independent academy will now have two junior schools - its existing one beside the senior school at Kelvinbridge in Glasgow and a second, effectively a satellite school, serving families in the Milngavie area.

Atholl Prep sends a large number of its pupils, who attend from kindergarten to P4, to Glasgow Academy. The new partnership will mean that pupils currently educated at Atholl will automatically be offered Glasgow Academy places at the end of Prep 4. Atholl will continue at its present location and will not increase its numbers despite building projects at the school.

Mrs Janice Donaldson, head of Atholl Preparatory School, said: ''The first school of choice for most Atholl parents is the academy. A large number of our current pupils hope to follow older brothers and sisters to a school which, although much bigger, has an ethos very similar to our own.

''From August, we will still have the benefits of a small school while being able to offer many of the advantages that only big schools can afford.''

Mr David Comins, rector of Glasgow Academy, said: ''The presence of a 'junior' primary department on the north side of the city will introduce an important element of choice to the education we offer. For example, parents of younger children in the Milngavie area may want them to remain at a 'local' school rather than travelling to the city.''