The Isle of Wight Council’s Cabinet has decided to go ahead with a consultation process that could mean the closure of six primary schools.
Director of children’s services Ashley Whittaker and cabinet member for children’s services, education and corporate functions, Councillor Jonathan Bacon, recommended a consultation on the reduction of surplus school places and expansion of Special Educational Needs provision in a report presented to the cabinet this evening (September 12).
The report’s proposed options for consultation include the closure of Cowes Primary School, Arreton CE Primary School, Oakfield Primary School, Brading Primary School, Wroxall Primary School and Godshill Primary School.
Pupils at closed schools would be able to join Gurnard Primary School, Barton Primary School, Greenmount Primary School, St Mary’s Catholic Primary School, The Bay CE School, St Helens Primary School, St Francis Primary School or Niton Primary School.
Both Jonathan Bacon and Ashley Whittaker have said the reduction in places is necessary to improve the quality of the Island’s education and ensure the financial stability of schools and families.
They have claimed the current oversupply of places is “inefficient”, “unsustainable” and holds back childrens’ educational outcomes.
The potential closures have however been met with widespread concern and resistance in the areas affected.
As the cabinet meeting began inside County Hall, protesters with signs reading ‘Save education in Cowes and Gurnard’ and ‘Why are you closing my GOOD school?’ were assembled outside.
On Thursday morning, parents and children protested outside Brading Primary School.
Parents also protested outside Arreton St George’s Church of England Primary School on Monday afternoon.
Petitions have been gathering support in opposition to all six of the closures, with 40-year-old Ryde mother Jen Hughes’ petition to save Oakfield Primary School garnering over 1,000 signatures.
On Wednesday, the Church of England’s (C of E) Diocese of Portsmouth said parents of children at the three C of E schools must be offered an alternative C of E school that is easily accessible to families.
Responding to his recommendation being approved by the cabinet, Jonathan Bacon said:
“I’m pleased it was passed because I think it is the right thing to do.
“I think it was a difficult decision for all of us round the table – nowhere near as difficult as it was for many in the public gallery and listening online to take on board.
“But we are now launched on a process that I will hope, and will aim as best I can to direct, be as open and transparent as possible so all those concerns, fears, wishes that we heard about tonight are considered, actively considered and dealt with as part of the process we’re now going to follow.”
Reacting to the decision Jen Hughes said:
“Disappointed, devastated – I don’t feel that the concerns of the community of Oakfield Primary School have been addressed.
“I feel that all the questions that were posed received quite blanket answers devoid of any actual solution or answer.
“I really don’t feel that the considerations of the mental health of the people in our ward have been considerded at all – the high pupil premium, the SEND population, the normal children that go to our school.
“If you read the Ofsted reports they state we are a happy and inclusive school – there are plenty of positives in those Ofsted reports.”
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