UPDATED: Over the summer months, the Isle of Wight Council’s Conservative administration working with the new Island MP, Bob Seely has succeeded in securing a commitment which ensures secondary education at Sandown will continue.
After a series of discussions and meetings involving the leader of the council, Councillor Dave Stewart, and the Cabinet member for Children’s Services, Councillor Paul Brading, along with Academies Enterprise Trust (AET), assurances have now been given that the plan to cease secondary education at Sandown has been withdrawn.
The focus has now shifted on to evaluating 2 remaining options, informed by data and advice on Sandown’s day to day operations provided by AET. These options are either to transfer leadership of the school to another academy sponsor with a proven track record or to expand the age range of The Bay CE Primary School creating what is described as ‘an all through school’. The latter is the preferred option of the Isle of Wight Council.
AET has committed to supporting the Department for Education (DfE) and council plans by ensuring the best possible provision at Sandown Bay this academic year and an orderly transition before stepping aside. AET will continue to focus their attention on building on the recent successes at Ryde Academy.
Councillor Stewart said:
“This is a really positive outcome from what has been a very challenging issue for the new Island Conservative administration to address and I am grateful to all concerned for their hard work and commitment which has led to the position we have now achieved.
“The common agreement we have reached is that whatever the final option, a good standard of secondary education will continue to be provided at Sandown and indeed our aspiration is for the new school arrangements to lead to outstanding educational outcomes – because this is what the pupils deserve and need for a successful future.”
It is expected that a final decision on the way forward will be made by mid-October. That will mean that parents of Year 6 pupils can then make an informed decision about the school they choose for September 2018 as the admissions round closes on the 31st October 2017.
The announcement follows an extensive consultation process which took place at the end of last term. More than 1,800 people responded to the council’s consultation, with 98% backing the call for continuing secondary education in Sandown. 95% per cent of those consulted said it was ‘very important’ that secondary education was secured.
In terms of the 2 options being explored the vast majority of the community favoured the all through school option with 85% of respondents lending their support to the plan. 37% of the respondents said they would support rebrokering the school to a different academy sponsor.
Councillor Brading said:
“I am absolutely thrilled that secondary education will continue for the Sandown community. The announcement means that we can have a fresh start in Sandown and we now have to make sure that the future arrangement delivers high standards and outstanding educational provision. More of the same is not acceptable – better education has to be provided.”
Councillor Stewart, concluded by saying:
“I would like to thank the huge number of residents, parents, staff and students who have engaged with us and responded to the consultation process. The massive support for continuing secondary education at Sandown was a vital factor in our discussions and the result achieved. We will now be working hard to make sure the final decision is taken as speedily as possible so that we have absolute certainty as we move forward.”
“I am really delighted the Government has shown faith in secondary education in Sandown. It’s clearly the right decision and testament to the powerful case made by all of us working together.
“I would like thank Sandown parents and the wider community for giving the school such strong support in recent consultations. It certainly made our job of convincing the Government easier. I would also specifically like to thank education officer Brian Pope, as well as Cllrs Chris Whitehouse, Paul Brading and Dave Stewart for their hard work and leadership. I am also grateful that AET is cooperating.
“This is not the end of the matter. We now need to ensure that Government accepts our advice as to the right structures for theschool, and that we give parents, pupils and teachers the support they need to ensure the school thrives.”
