Despite delays and further community consultation, the Isle of Wight Council is still looking to close Chillerton and Rookley Primary School.
A recommended decision has been published, ahead of Cabinet’s final consideration next week, to close the rural primary school by 31st August and send pupils to its sister school in Godshill.
The school’s future has been uncertain for over a year but now leading Cabinet members will be told closing Chillerton and amalgamating in Godshill will reduce surplus places and support the ongoing provision of high-quality education.
Dwindling pupil numbers and monetary pressures at both the rural schools led the Stenbury Federation’s original request.
A decision was paused in May 2021, when the new Alliance administration took control of the local authority.
The authority’s second consultation – which ran for 6 weeks from October – received 233 responses and according to the cabinet papers, 32% of those who answered online opted for the Chillerton closure.
A quarter preferred securing a free school or academy as a sponsor — something the Island Free School said it was ‘open to discussions’ about, after being approached by the campaign to save the school. For that to happen, the primary school would need to leave the Stenbury Federation.
The Isle of Wight Council says finding a sponsor who is prepared to take the small school on with such a ‘significant financial deficit’ is unlikely.
The overall deficit of Chillerton and Rookley Primary school currently stands at £80,374.
Cabinet will have the final say about the school’s future at its meeting on Thursday 10th February.
Councillor Suzie Ellis, Conservative Councillor for Central Rural, has said:
“Since being elected as the Isle of Wight Councillor for Central Rural last May, I have had many discussions about the future of the school with local residents and the parish council.
“As the report sets out, there are significant financial challenges facing the school, and there is no easy solution to these if it stays open.
“Having said that, I would like the Cabinet to carefully consider the various options set out in the report, particularly those that would enable a school to remain on the site in Chillerton. Whilst the officer recommendation is for closure, there are alternatives. It has always been my preference for the school to stay open, if at all possible.
“Local residents and other interested parties are welcome to get in touch with me about this matter. I would be happy to raise any issues or questions ahead of the Cabinet decision, or at the meeting. I can be contacted on [email protected]“.
the council wants to close a school, thereby reducing the educational placement availability on the island, whilst approving housing developments for families to move to the island, which increases the demand for educational placement.
clearly the council are trying to have their cake and eat it – either you do not build houses, or you increase the school places available.
isle of wight council or jim hensons workshop.
Jim Henson’s workshop without a doubt!