Creating two primary schools side by side in Henleaze could provide a solution to the shortage of places in the area.

The idea of turning both Henleaze Infant and Henleaze Junior schools into separate all-through primaries is under consideration by council chiefs.

The Post understands that the parallel schools proposal is seen as an alternative to merging and expanding the infants and juniors into one giant primary for 840 children.

This option proved very unpopular with parents when it was suggested in last year's citywide Primary Review.

The current schools have three forms of entry, meaning they can take 90 children in a year group.

The suggested new primaries would be two-form entry – 60 children a year – giving them a maximum of 420 pupils each.

Both Henleaze Infant and Henleaze Junior are rated "outstanding" by the education watchdog Ofsted and parents are likely to be concerned that any change could put that at risk.

But the Liberal Democrat-led Bristol City Council believes the schools would have the educational capacity to cope with change.

The authority has a policy of amalgamating infant and junior schools when circumstances arise, for example when a head leaves or retires. It believes all-through primaries offer benefits to children and staff.

The council could start consulting governors and parents about possible changes as early as June.

Governors of the two schools are understood to be aware of the parallel primaries idea but have not yet discussed it formally.

Cabinet councillor for children Clare Campion-Smith said her immediate priority was to ensure places were found for the 295 four-year-olds in Bristol still awaiting a reception class offer for this September.

But as soon as that is over she will be looking ahead to 2010, which will again see demand for places exceeding supply in Henleaze and in other parts of the city.

The problem in the Henleaze/Bishopston area of north-west Bristol is a shortage of sites for building a new primary school.

The council is still hoping that Bishop Road Primary will agree to take a fourth reception class for September but this would have to be a "bulge year" rather than an all-through expansion.

Sefton Park Primary has also agreed to an extra reception class, bringing it to three-form entry for the 2009 intake, but its governors say they will not allow any further expansion for six years.

Mrs Campion-Smith said a cross-party working group would meet in May to look at options for 2010 and beyond.

"We hope that group can come up with some proposals we can put out to consultation. Any decisions would be made depending on the response to that consultation," she said.

Meanwhile, families awaiting a reception class place are due to receive their offer letters on Monday. But it still might not be the end, as those who live near Bishop Road will receive a letter saying they can accept the offer given or wait a week and see if the council can give them a place nearer home.