A major consultation on Isle of Wight Council proposals to tackle the high number of surplus school places in Island primary schools – by closing 6 local schools – has been launched.
Islanders are being asked to share their views on proposals, the key aim of which is to raise educational standards and ensure a brighter future for Island children. The plans include the proposed closure of Arreton CE, Brading CE, Cowes, Godshill, Oakfield CE and Wroxall primary schools.
Additionally, the council is looking to expand specialist provision for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), repurposing schools identified for closure wherever possible.
The proposals underpin the Island’s newly published draft education strategy — an overarching masterplan to transform the school system from one that has consistently underperformed compared to national trends, to one that is recognised nationally for the quality of its education.
The consultation runs until Friday 1st November and your input is crucial in shaping these decisions.
Following the consultation, a further report will be presented to Cabinet in December detailing the responses and making recommendations about the next steps.
Councillor Jonathan Bacon, Cabinet member for education, has said:
“We have the worst educational standards in this country, we are not serving our children well nor are we serving our employers or our economy well.
Article continues below this advertisement “School is about preparing our young people for life, work, careers, their futures. Failing them at school is unacceptable, both for them and for the Island as a whole.
“School heads have been the loudest voice demanding action. Without changes to the numbers of schools, they cannot do their job of educating the Island’s children.
“This is about taking the wider view and about creating the foundations to educate our children properly. It is about considering, as an Island, what we want from our school system.
“It is about ensuring the best possible provision for all our young people to enable them to access the best possible opportunities as they prepare for adult life.”
The council welcomes any viable alternative proposals that reduce the level of surplus places and improve the quality of education. All the views put forward during the consultation period will be considered before a decision is taken on whether to proceed to the next steps.
The council is consulting with anyone who is interested in the future of education on the Island. This includes pupils, parents and carers, staff, the governing bodies, other local schools and trade unions.
It is also consulting with a wide range of other groups and organisations including early years providers, town and parish councils, the local MPs, the Church of England and Catholic dioceses and the wider local community.
There are several ways you can let us know what you think:
- Visit www.iow.gov.uk/schoolplace to read more and to complete the online questionnaire
- If you are unable to access the consultation form e-mail your views to [email protected] or write to: Strategic Development, Floor 3, County Hall, Newport, IOW, PO30 1UD.
- Paper copies will be available to collect from County Hall, High Street, Newport, Isle of Wight PO30 1UD, local libraries or can be posted out.
- You can also find out more about plans for your local schools and ask questions by attending one of the meetings being held in areas impacted by the proposals.
School area meetings
Due to limited capacity within school halls, parents will be prioritised and if further seating is available the community will be welcome to attend.
- Cowes Primary — Monday 23rd September, 17:30 to 19:00
Arreton CE Primary — Wednesday 25th September, 17:30 to 19:00 - Oakfield CE Primary — Thursday 26th September, 17:30 to 19:00
- Wroxall Primary — Monday 30th September, 17:30 to 19:00
- Godshill Primary — Wednesday 2nd October, 17:30 to 19:00
- Brading CE Primary — Thursday 3rd October, 17:30 to 19:00
For further information on the process and frequently asked questions visit the council’s school place planning web page.
They will all close,the dcision has been made,the council couldnt care less,they are only doing a consultation as they have boxes to tick,shoddy built new builds coming your way real soon!
There is a requirement to obtain value for money in all things, there is no factual need for some of these schools to be retained, most of the furore against closure is being driven by unions who see their teachers being made redundant.
You’re wrong there. The unions are actually doing very little. They’ve gone into the schools and advised teachers on their redundancy entitlements, but that’s about it.
It’s cheaper to have education factories than it is to have old fashioned schools. Individual tuition and learning is no longer a priority.
What is planned for the school buildings in Arreton, Godshill and Wroxall, these 3 schools in particular mean a loss to each community and increased travel to distant schools. Re the about to be larger schools, are they good enough to accept and cope with larger rolls.