Councillor Suzie Ellis, Ward Councillor for Central Rural, has voiced her deep concern over the Isle of Wight Council’s School Place Planning Consultation, which proposes the closure of 6 primary schools.
2 of the schools under threat of closure – Godshill and Arreton St George’s – both lie within Cllr Ellis’ Central Rural Ward. Following last year’s closure of Chillerton and Rookley Primary School, these additional proposals would result in the loss of all primary schools in the ward.
Combined with the proposed closure of neighbouring Wroxall Primary School, Cllr Ellis believes this would leave a substantial gap in local education provision and place a disproportionate burden on rural families.
Councillor Ellis says:
“The proposed closure of all 3 schools would create an educational desert in the rural heart of the Isle of Wight. This plan unfairly targets the rural heart of the Island, erasing essential community assets and stripping families of accessible schooling options.”
Councillor Ellis strongly supports an alternative proposal championed by local parents: the possible merger of Arreton, Godshill, and Wroxall Primary Schools into a single, centrally located rural school. This proposal, supported by community voices, aims to maintain a stable and accessible primary education option for rural families. She believes such a solution would preserve the community fabric while addressing the Council’s goals of rationalising school places.
Councillor Ellis continued:
“I urge the Council to consider this community-led alternative, which keeps education at the heart of our rural area while avoiding the devastating impact of multiple closures,
Article continues below this advertisement “Our communities deserve a fairer, more balanced approach that respects the unique needs of rural life.”
Councillor Ellis calls on the Isle of Wight Council to ensure that at least one school remains open to serve the rural community, allowing children to continue their education close to home.
What has it got to do with fairness, its about the best use of the finances available to run education, you cannot keep a falling role school open because you would lose several schools in your council area. try and see the bigger picture and not your own interests.
At the end of the day it is not up to families or
fairness, if cost savings are required, end of.
Close down the schools not required.
I take it then you’ll then be complaining about the amount of ‘free’ buses and taxis needed to transport all primary children who live more than 2 miles from the only other available school? And given that’s the current intake from 6 other schools…the logistics of that many buses and taxis in one small area is going to be horrific for it’s neighbours.