An online petition against the closure of the Isle of Wight Studio Studio, which has gathered over 14,000 signatures to date, is to be backed up by a protest outside County Hall in Newport on Wednesday.
As previously reported by Island Echo, Ministers from the Department for Education have made an in-principle decision to close the East Cowes-based school in Summer 2019. This decision is due to too few students choosing to study at the Studio School in Years 12 and 13, which has meant that the school has not developed in the way originally planned.
Students, parents and the Isle of Wight community at large are trying to battle against the closure with a strong but simple message: ‘If you believe in it, then fight for it’.
Local councillor for East Cowes, Karl Love, has said:
“I know this school can make a real difference to the life chances of our Island’s young people in helping them succeed in the workplace. This whole school’s teaching team brings happiness to our young people in their schooling achievements and learning.
“Our local businesses and industries really value the contributions made to their industries by young people from the Studio School”.
The Isle of Wight Chamber of Commerce and the Isle of Wight Technology Group are said to be amongst those fighting to keep the school open.
The protest will take place outside the Isle of Wight Council’s County Hall offices in Newport at 17:30 on Wednesday 16th May. For more information visit https://www.facebook.com/keepourstudioschool/.
The petition can be found at https://www.thepetitionsite.com/en-gb/554/381/911/save-iow-studio-school/.
