Islanders have given their reaction to the Isle of Wight cabinet’s school consultation vote.
The cabinet’s decision to go ahead with cabinet member Jonathan Bacon and director of children’s services Ashley Whittaker’s consultation has continued to cause controversy as it could mean the closure of 6 primary schools.
Jen Hughes, a 40-year-old Ryde mother who started a petition to save Oakfield CE Primary School, said she was “devastated” and “disappointed”.
She commented:
“I don’t feel that the concerns of the community of Oakfield Primary School have been addressed.
“I feel that all the questions that were posed received quite blanket answers devoid of any actual solution or answer.
“I really don’t feel that the considerations of the mental health of the people in our ward have been considered at all – the high pupil premium, the SEND population, all the children that go to our school.”
“If you read the Ofsted reports they state we are a happy and inclusive school – there are plenty of positives in those Ofsted reports.”
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Councillor Suzie Ellis, who represents the Central Rural ward on the Isle of Wight Council, said:
“Whilst I fully support the long-overdue school place planning strategy for Island Schools, I was devastated to learn that both remaining primary schools in Central Rural – Godshill and St Georges, Arreton – are among the 6 primary schools named for consultation on closure.
“Together with Wroxall Primary, this decision could leave the rural centre of the Island, and some 400 children, entirely without primary provision.
“Since last Wednesday’s announcement, I have visited both schools to offer my support, attended an information evening held for parents at Godshill, spoken with many parents, and am working closely with headteachers and governors to explore alternative solutions that would not leave the rural centre of the Island without primary provision.
“There is an absolute need for change, but we must ensure it’s the right change, incorporating compromise and sustainability for our communities.”
Jonathan Bacon, cabinet member for children’s services, education and corporate functions, said:
“I’m pleased it was passed because I think it is the right thing to do.
“I think it was a difficult decision for all of us round the table – nowhere near as difficult as it was for many in the public gallery and listening online to take on board.
“But we are now launched on a process that I will hope, and will aim as best I can to direct, be as open and transparent as possible so all those concerns, fears, wishes that we heard about tonight are considered, actively considered and dealt with as part of the process we’re now going to follow.”
It would help if critics of the proposals offered alternative solutions to handling declining pupil numbers rather than just saying not this school or not that school.
1:08.30 approximately in the Isle of Wight councils meeting. The diocese is mentioned and about how the council committee are not involving him in the consultation of the 3 C of E schools. However the question was shut down by the committee. The committee know just how much power the diocese has in this situation, it’s almost like they are trying to avoid him getting involved or knowing to much information about the consultation. The diocese has already said, the only way of closing a C of E school down is by giving parents the opportunity to send their children to another C of E school within their local area. My question is. Define local area? Is it 2 miles, 3 miles , 5 miles, or is it where 1 town/village meets the next town/village (border). I myself have a child that goes to Oakfield primary school. I enrolled my child here because we are of Christian faith and we believe this christian school is what we want for our daughter and because it’s a part of Christianity. I have researched all the C of E schools on the Isle of Wight and have come across 10 schools in total. However 3 of those are set for closure. That leaves 7 schools which are not exactly local to ryde. My next question is. If every parent that has a child in a C of E school wants their child to be educated in a C of E school, where are the spaces for these kids?? So if There are only 10 C of E schools on the island, 3 of which if are shut down will make 553 kids potentially enrolling to the other 7 C of E schools. These 7 schools between them can only accommodate 315 kids and some are not even east or central of the island, some are west wight. If all parents stick together and agree that they only want what’s best for their child and their Christian faith, then there is no way at all that these 3 schools can be shut down. I do feel this is discrimination against Christians and their beliefs. If you truly want to save these schools then the discrimination act needs to be bought into the equation.
This is the bit where people realise that politics and politicians don’t represent them. They try to raise their concerns and are totally ignored. It’s no wonder people don’t bother voting.