UPDATED: BRADING, OAKFIELD AND WROXALL TO STAY OPEN BUT AXE FALLS ON 2 OTHER PRIMARY SCHOOLS

Months of campaigning by passionate parents has paid off as it is confirmed that Brading, Oakfield and Wroxall Primary Schools will NOT close this year – but the axe has fallen on both Arreton and Cowes.

Councillors have this evening (Thursday) voted on the future of 5 Isle of Wight schools, which were all earmarked for closure. A sixth – Godshill Primary – was also originally set to close, but those plans were shelved last year.

In the months leading up to tonight’s delayed vote, campaigners have been rallying support for all 5 local schools to remain open. Significant support has been shown for Brading and Oakfield, with many a letter written in support of Wroxall too.

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So it was no surprise that there were cheers from the public gallery as Cabinet members decided to keep Brading, Oakfield and Wroxall Primary Schools open for the foreseeable future, with independent voting on each school failing to receive the required number of votes.

Although many parents and pupils will be jubilant tonight, those associated with Arreton and Cowes Primary Schools will be saddened by the clear vote to close both schools this August.

Councillor Jonathan Bacon, who is in charge of education for the Alliance administration, failed to show up for tonight’s all-important meeting at County Hall.

As well as voting on the closures, Cabinet gave the go ahead to the creation of a 12-place primary resourced provision for autistic children at The Bay CE School in Sandown.

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In the coming hours and days there is sure to be reaction from many organisations – and questions asked as to where Councillor Bacon was on the night of a crucial vote on the future of Island children’s education.

UPDATE – Joe Robertson MP, for Isle of Wight East, has said:

“I am glad that each of the three primary schools in the East Wight have been saved from closure.

“I have publicly supported three hard fought local campaigns in Brading, Oakfield and Wroxall and pay tribute to the parents, staff and residents for making such a strong case for their schools. In particular, I thank councillors Rodney Downer and Michael Lilley and community campaigners like Nick Binfield, Kate Benson, David Groocock and Aviv Goode for engaging me with their community groups.

“Isle of Wight East is the second most left behind constituency in the country and closing these 3 primary schools will not help. I have written to the Government to ask them to support us. We now have the data to show that the Government needs to start delivering on their “five missions” here in the East Wight.”

Jeff Williams, director of education for the Church of England’s Diocese of Portsmouth, has added:

“The decision by the Isle of Wight Council’s Cabinet demonstrated that councillors have listened to our repeated concerns, as well as concerns expressed by the Isle of Wight Council’s Scrutiny Committee, and the indicative vote of the whole Isle of Wight Council.

“We are therefore pleased that the proposed closure of Oakfield and Brading CofE Primary Schools, and Wroxall Primary School have been rejected by the Cabinet.

“We remain concerned regarding the process that led to the decision to close Arreton St George’s CofE Primary School and Cowes Primary School. We are therefore taking legal advice and will continue to consider all options as advised”.