A MEETING discussing plans that threaten the closure of Oakfield Primary School had an “incredible” turnout last night at St John’s Church Hall in Ryde.
Councillor Michael Lilley chaired the Ryde Appley and Elmfield ward meeting and told attendees he had flagged his concerns about a possible closure to Ashley Whittaker, director of children’s services at the Isle of Wight Council, before the council made its recent education proposals.
Cllr Lilley said he had scheduled a meeting with the Church of England school’s headteacher, Vikki Reader, for today and was willing to listen to any parent and community concerns.
He also mentioned the possible involvement of the Church of England’s Diocese of Portsmouth and gave the bishop of Portsmouth, Jonathan Frost, the diocesan director of education, Jeff Williams, and the deputy diocesan director of education, Rob Saunders, as good points of contact.
In response to an attendee who asked whether “the decision has already been taken” to close the school, Cllr Lilley answered no and confirmed a possible closure was currently only a recommendation.
When St Mary’s Catholic School in Ryde had been faced with closure, a consultation process along with Catholic representatives intervening had kept the school open, he added.
Answering a question on why the Isle of Wight Council had proposed closing the school, Cllr Lilley said they were “trying to find reasons”.
Points raised by attendees included the disadvantages faced by children eligible for pupil premium funding as well as concerns over extended commutes and extra financial pressures on families already struggling with the cost of living.
A teaching staff member said the school would have the capacity to welcome entire classes if it stayed open.
The member added this would be better than having children in temporary classrooms and splitting up classes all over Ryde.
Another attendee pointed to other services provided by the school: a community pantry, support for disadvantaged children and support for victims of domestic abuse.
A 39-year-old Elmfield resident who attended the meeting said it was “devastating”.
She said:
“My eldest has just left to go to high school and my youngest son has just started – it’s broken all of our hearts to potentially lose the school.”
She added a closure could cause “lots of parents” to not send their children to school anymore due to them living too far away.
Cllr Jonathan Bacon, cabinet member for children’s services, has previously said:
“Our results are extremely poor in comparison to other areas and have been for many years. We must do better.
“The first step is to acknowledge the problem. With our new education department, which is focussed solely on Island children, we have been able to do that.
"This is essential so that we can now work to address the issue rather than side-stepping it, as has been the case for too long.
“As has been made clear, we have serious structural challenges, including, most urgently, the oversupply of places in primary schools.
“Following what the data tells us means we are facing some incredibly difficult decisions on reducing the number of school places across the Island. This is the only way to ensure that we can minimise the long-term negative impact on the Island’s education.”
The Isle of Wight Council has been approached for further comment.
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