PARENTS RALLY OUTSIDE ARRETON PRIMARY TO PROTEST SCHOOL CLOSURE

Concerned parents rallied outside Arreton St George’s Church of England Primary School to protest its proposed closure yesterday afternoon (Monday).

Arreton – a school with around 180 total places – is 1 of 6 schools facing the axe according to a shock Isle of Wight Council document released on Thursday.

The 6 schools earmarked for closure in 2025 are Arreton, Godshill, Wroxall, Brading, Oakfield and Cowes.

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3 of the 6 schools to close – Arreton, Oakfield and Brading – are Church of England aided schools.

Parents spoke with Island Echo of their anger and disappointment with the Isle of Wight Council announcement. They were most concerned about moving their children from a familiar rural environment, the possible loss of going to a school without a religious ethos and the requirements of children with special needs, which they regard as being appropriately met at Arreton.

Sahara King – who has a boy in year 4 – said:

“My son has vision problems that are properly met at the school with, for example, the use of ramps. He is terrified of being in a new environment.

“SEN children thrive in smaller schools and can get overwhelmed at bigger ones.

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“I also chose this school for its close links to the church and Christian ethos. I wouldn’t be able to send him to another Church of England school as they are full.

“The Council’s announcement has caused a huge amount of distress and uproar. The opinions of the Isle of Wight need to be heard.”

Keith Scott – who has sons in Year 2 and reception – commented:

“The announcement couldn’t have come at a worse time. It felt like a rug had been pulled from under our feet.

“What rural school can I send my children to? There are none – especially with Godshill also closing. I’m gutted.

“Our dream and ambition is to bring our children up in a rural environment with greenery and open spaces. We don’t want town schooling.”

Shauni Townsend – who has boys in reception and Year 3 – told Island Echo:

“Arreton is such a lovely rural school that works for my children. We are devastated by its possible closure. My 7-year-old is very anxious. It’s thrown him entirely.”

Amy Westlotorn – who has a daughter in Year 1 and son in Year 3 – expressed her feelings by stating:

“I travel from East Cowes because it is a Church of England school, and there is no such school where I live.

“The children are heartbroken. They love their school. We love the school because they do.”

Further protests are planned at other schools at risk of being axed, the details of which will be reported by Island Echo.

Commenting on the island’s primary reorganisation, Peter Shreeve, Assistant District Secretary of the National Education Union, said:

“Falling rolls is the main driver for this primary school reorganisation.

“Now we have the initial recommendations of the primary school reorganisation, the reality of yet another school reorganisation is growing.

“For those directly affected, anxiety over uncertainty dominates. Some may reflect on the previous island wide reorganisation.

“For others not directly affected, we know it still remains a worrying time. As staff and pupils move schools, closures will create other challenges. No doubt, all will work hard to try and understand how they can cope and integrate within this change.

“A suggestion of possible further future primary sector closures exits and demographics are expected to impact on secondary schools.

“Schools appear caught in a worsening whirlwind of constant and relentless change.

“Change which will be challenging to mitigate against, especially with historic and ongoing austerity and rising special needs numbers.”