The Isle of Wight Council insists no decisions have been made about the future of any individual school amid ongoing school place planning talks.
‘Listening and engagement’ sessions on planning school places for the future are currently being held by the local authority.
In an email to parents and carers, County Hall’s education service manager Beth Dyer said views shared during each session will be considered as part of information presented to the council’s education committee in March.
The Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) was permitted entry to one of the scheduled sessions at the Riverside Centre on 4th February.
While at the 14:30–16:30 event for around an hour, there appeared to be only one member of the public present.
The LDRS was not permitted an interview with Ms Dyer, despite asking.
County Hall subsequently agreed to answer interview questions through its press office instead.
A spokesperson emphasised ‘no decisions’ have ‘at this stage’ been made about the future of any individual school and said some of the listening and engagement sessions are being held for specific groups, such as headteachers, parents and trade union representatives.
They acknowledged conversations about school place planning can feel worrying, particularly for children, families and staff who care deeply about their schools.
The spokesperson said:
“School place planning is about ensuring there are the right number of school places in the right locations, both now and in the future.
“It involves looking at pupil numbers, demographics, school capacity, and how schools can remain viable, sustainable and able to provide high-quality education for children.
“It is a long-term planning process and does not, in itself, mean that decisions have been made about individual schools.
“The current focus is on listening, learning, understanding concerns, impacts, and alternative ideas so that any future discussions are informed not just by data, but by the lived experiences of those most affected.
“We are committed to approaching this work transparently and carefully, with children’s wellbeing, educational outcomes, and community impact at the centre of any future considerations.”
The council says there are fewer primary-aged children on the Island, meaning less overall funding. Government financing is stretched and there is pressure on staffing, retention, expertise and recruitment.
An online session for parents and carers is being held on Thursday (12th February) from 18:00 to 19:30.
Move families to the island to fill the hole in primary schools.
Diversity is a good thing.