UPDATED WITH VIDEO: Hundreds of students, parents and local residents have turned out at County Hall in Newport this afternoon (Wednesday) in protest of the potential closure of Carisbrooke College – but there is some hope on the horizon.
Crowds have congregated outside the Isle of Wight Council’s offices with placards and banners as Councillors gather for a briefing about the options available with regards to closing the Wellington Road school.
As previously reported by Island Echo, the closure of Carisbrooke College could be just two years away following an Isle of Wight Council report that recommends closing the school and merging it with Medina College. The report released last week shows that Council officers do not believe the authority could put forward a strong enough business case for securing the future funding for the school through the Education Funding Agency due to a declining number of pupils.
At a Full Council meeting at 18:00 tonight, Councillors will come together to discuss the report and vote on a recommendation on which option should be followed, with the addition of an Option 2B, which will then go straight to the Council’s executive.
If approved, a consultation would begin in September 2015 with plans to see the school closed in 2017.
One Isle of Wight Councillor has said he does not see “any prospect whatsoever” of the Council voting that the proposed Carisbrooke and Medina College merger should go ahead.
Cllr Chris Whitehouse represents Newport West Ward in which Carisbrooke College is located and two of his daughters attended Carisbrooke College. He has emailed local residents who have contacted him about the proposal from Cllr Jonathan Bacon, the Leader of the Independent Administration, saying:
“Pete Shaw and the Senior Leadership Team at Carisbrooke have done a fantastic job in getting the College back on the right track educationally.
Article continues below this advertisement “I have now spoken personally to many of the elected Members of the Council and I do not believe there is any prospect whatsoever of the Council voting to support the proposed merger. I cannot guarantee that, but the arithmetic seems very clear to me.
“It is, however, essential that parents and students continue to let Cllr Bacon know their views.”
UPDATE @ 19:21 – The Isle of Wight Full Council meeting has voted almost unanimously to keep Carisbrooke College open, giving backing to Option 1. A total of 33 votes in favour were cast, 2 against and 1 abstained.
The recommendation will now go to the Executive later this evening who, according to Leader Cllr Jonathan Bacon, will follow the recommendation.
UPDATE @ 22:05 – The Executive have voted in favour of keeping Carisbrooke College open under Option 1 tonight.
6 members voted for, whilst Cllr Steve Stubbings voted against.
