Joe Robertson Raises Island schools Funding Issues In House Of Commons

Joe Robertson, MP for Isle of Wight East, has raised the issue of funding for the Island’s primary school with Education Ministers in the House of Commons.

Speaking during Parliamentary Questions, he said that the national criteria used for funding schools was a “blunt instrument” for funding schools on the Island as it is rural and separated from the rest of the UK by sea.

He asked for fairer funding and a government meeting with the Isle of Wight Council so that unnecessary primary school closures could be avoided.

Mr Robertson opposed the proposed closure of three East Wight Primary Schools – Brading, Oakfield and Wroxall – earlier this year but acknowledges that falling pupil numbers leave the Council with a challenge.

He said that the national “per pupil” funding criteria meaning schools who are unable to fill classes face a budget shortfall is a problem that doesn’t fairly reflect the challenges of delivering education on the Island.

Education Minister, Catherine McKinnell MP, said she appreciated Mr Robertson’s concerns and was happy to have a further discussion.

Joe Robertson MP asked:

“National per pupil funding criteria are a blunt instrument for fairly funding schools in rural areas like mine on the Isle of Wight, which is also separated from the UK mainland by sea.

"Will the Minister meet with me and representatives from the Isle of Wight Council to see how it can provide fairer funding for Isle of Wight primary schools so that we don't have to see any more of them close unnecessarily?”

Education Minister Catherine McKinnell MP replied:

“I appreciate the concerns the honourable gentleman raises, as I know the Isle of Wight Local Authority is working to address the issue of surplus primary places and finding the best way to do that. I recognise the challenge around funding.

“That is something that will take some time to look at, but indeed it is designed not necessarily to give every school the same amount of money, but to indeed address some of the needs that he outlines.

"But I'm more than happy to continue this discussion further, as I appreciate it's a very important issue for his constituency.”