Following news last month that the closure of Chillerton and Rookley Primary School has been officially halted, parents and carers have received an update from the Stenbury Federation who run the school.
According to the update, with details provided to Island Echo by the Save Our School Group, the Federation will not be providing pre-school, year reception, year 1 or year 6 provision at the Chillerton site and pupils will be transported to Godshill.
The update comes as council officers from Hampshire are preparing a report on the controversial consultation process stopped earlier in the year. It is understood the report will contain recommendations for further consultation on a range of options including offering flexi schooling.
A Save our School Spokesperson said:
“One has to admire the determination of the Stenbury Federation in their desire to close the school, we think their efforts would be better placed supporting the outstanding teaching staff in providing the best education possible.
“We are not aware of anyone outside of these organisations who thinks the closure of this rural school is the right thing to do. Have they asked the children what they think? Thank goodness we have a new cabinet of council leaders who oppose the closure.”
“We are motivated, organised and most importantly, extremely well supported. We will fight tooth and nail to keep this wonderful school open.”
A Parent from the school added:
“It is completely disingenuous to base closure proposals on low pupil numbers when the people who run the school are not even offering provision! We have already given our views on the closure once, I was very clear that my children are extremely happy with their teachers, friends and environment and do not wish to be forced elsewhere.”
The council planners approve housebuilding in the area and the useless stenbury foundation are trying to reduce the number of school places available – nothing like the isle of wight infrastructure getting a hit from both sides – increasing population and reduction in school places.
perhaps these people at the stenbury should be lobbying the government to provide additional school funding to future proof the school places, so that the guaranteed increase in kids on the island due to the short sighted housing policy of build build build can be accomodated.
stenbury only care about their own wage increases and not the kids
Who are the ‘Stenbury Foundation’ ? some sort of quango ? is there no such thing as an Education Authority anymore or have the Council copped out of that as well