A business case for future 11 to 16 provision in a 600 place Carisbrooke College has been accepted by the Education Funding Agency/Department for Education (DfE) – meaning significant investment will go ahead in enhanced and new learning facilities at the college.
Design and planning on the buildings will commence in Spring 2016, with works scheduled to start next summer. It is envisaged the works, funded by the Education Funding Agency, will be completely finished at some stage in 2017.
Following a decision by the Isle of Wight Council in July, education officers, Carisbrooke headteacher Peter Shaw and the headteacher/federation head from Medina College, worked collaboratively to submit a business case to the Education Funding Agency. The business case focused upon financial and curriculum viability, as well as the quality of leadership and management at Carisbrooke – which was recently granted International School status, in addition to winning a national award for GCSE improvement.
Peter Shaw said:
“This is absolutely tremendous news for all those associated with our fantastic learning community, especially following the uncertainty we faced earlier this year. It is down in no small part to our amazing students, teachers and parents – and great news for the Island as a whole.
“This is long overdue investment and I would like to thank all those involved in putting together a business case which has been vital to our long-term future. This has been quite a year for us all at Carisbrooke.”
Isle of Wight Council leader and Executive member for children’s services, Councillor Jonathan Bacon, said:
“I am delighted that Carisbrooke has achieved this vital backing from the DfE, and would also like to place on record my congratulations to all those who have been involved in making this happen. It means an incredibly positive conclusion to the year for Carisbrooke, following on from news in the last few months of stunning progress in improvement in its GCSE attainment. These are certainly exciting times for the school.
Article continues below this advertisement “I would also like to thank the Education Funding Agency/DfE for their flexibility and guidance in helping to progress this future investment for Carisbrooke.”
In July, a protest was held by pupils, staff and pupils as it was feared that the school would close.
Adding his own comments, Cllr Chris Whitehouse, in whose ward of Newport West the College is located, says:
“At last, we have signoff of the business case. This has been a real worry, but now that this box is ticked any lingering uncertainty about the College is now removed.
“Parents, students, teachers and the Leadership Team can now focus on the future and on delivering the potential of this rapidly improving school and all those who study there. Well done to all concerned.”
