An Isle of Wight Councillor has called for support for a new online petition backing the continuing delivery of secondary education in Sandown by expanding the age range of The Bay Primary School to provide 4-16 or 4-18 education.
As previously reported by Island Echo, it has been proposed that to retain a secondary school in Sandown, an existing primary school could be expanded to operate over 2 sites and provide an ‘all through’ option for students living in The Bay and surrounding areas.
The need for such changes comes as Academies Enterprise Trust looks to close Sandown Bay Academy and merge students with Ryde Academy around 6 miles away.
Councillor Chris Whitehouse, who leads on education for the Isle of Wight Council, has said:
“Sandown deserves its own secondary school; what’s more such a school is more than sustainable both financially and educationally.
“I’m delighted that parents of children in the Sandown area have launched a new petition to back the suggestion that The Bay Primary School expands to step into the breach that will be left if AET proceed with their threat to pull out of providing secondary education in Sandown. Every signature on the petition will strengthen our hand as we argue with Ministers and the Schools Regional Commissioner that Sandown should have its own secondary school whether AET is willing to provide it or not.”
The petition can be found at https://www.change.org/p/uk-secretary-of-state-for-education-creation-of-a-single-4-16-18-all-through-community-school-in-sandown-bay-on-the-isle-of-wight.
The Isle of Wight Council will, on Monday (12th June), be launching a consultation exercise, including public meetings and an online response facility, to seek local views on the proposal.
