More than 2,300 school spaces were empty on the Isle of Wight last year, latest government figures have revealed.
In the recent release of the annual school capacity survey, 38 of the Island’s schools had space for more pupils.
In total, 12.6 per cent of spaces — or 2,367 school pupils — 1,195 in primary and 1,172 in secondary —were unfilled.
Schools are allocated a certain amount of pupils they can cater for and then given funding accordingly.
The seven Island schools with the highest amounts of unfilled places:
- Chillerton and Rookley Primary – 44 of 78 spaces (56 per cent)
- Brighstone C of E Primary – 92 of 207 spaces (44 per cent)
- Oakfield C of E Primary – 165 of 420 spaces (39 per cent)
- St Francis Catholic and C of E Primary – 90 of 315 spaces (28.5 per cent)
- Newport C of E Primary – 110 of 405 spaces (27 per cent)
- Cowes Enterprise College – 374 of 1,211 spaces (23.6 per cent)
- Wroxall Primary – 38 of 168 spaces
The future of Chillerton and Rookley Primary School is currently hanging in the balance with the Isle of Wight Council once again deliberating the best course of action for the school.
Since the figures have been recorded, Cowes Enterprise College has reduced the number of pupils it accepts in a year. It reduced the yearly intake of students by 60, down to 210.
There are seven schools — all primaries — either at or over capacity in 2020/21.
At the top of that list, with an extra 35 per cent of pupils enrolled over its capacity, is Yarmouth C of E Primary School which recently welcomed pupils from the now-closed All Saints C of E Primary in Freshwater.
According to government statistics, Yarmouth Primary should only have 105 pupils enrolled at the school but in the latest count had 142 children attending — 37 extra.
A new school is being built for Yarmouth — on the All Saints site.
The seven Island primary schools over or at capacity are:
- Yarmouth C of E Primary – 37 children over-capacity (35 per cent)
- St Saviours Catholic Primary – 12 children over-capacity (8.6 per cent)
- Brading C of E Primary – Seven over-capacity (4.8 per cent)
- Lanesend Primary – 15 children over-capacity (3.6 per cent)
- Newchurch Primary – Five children over-capacity (2.4 per cent)
- Dover Park Primary – Three children over-capacity (1.4 per cent)
- Niton Primary School – at capacity.
The number of pupils has stayed roughly the same with 8,836 children in primary school in 20/21, compared to 8,834 in 18/19.
Pupil figures at secondary school have increased by nearly 50 from 7,528 in 18/19 to 7,577 in 20/21.
Councillor Coy On Isle Of Wight Social Housing
Warning For Islanders Selling Vehicles To Be 'Scam Aware'
Bus Fares Set To Rise Following Council Meeting
Small Business Support Proposal Passed By Isle Of Wight Council
Five-Year Isle Of Wight Area Of Outstanding Natural Beauty Plan Unanimously Approved
More Islanders Cross The Solent With Wightlink’s Discounted Fares For NHS Appointments
Hampshire And Isle Of Wight Air Ambulance Funds Defibrillators For The Community
Isle Of Wight Council Budget Pressures Likely To Continue Following Autumn Statement
Council Approves Support Package To Help Islanders On Low Incomes
Isle Of Wight Councillor In Mental Health Priority Motion
Bird Keepers Urged To Remain Vigilant Following Increased Avian Influenza Risk
Island Pupils Receive Lesson In Road Safety That Could Save Lives
New Shanklin Flats Given Green Light
Joe Robertson Appointed Parliamentary Private Secretary For Shadow Culture, Media And Sport
Shanklin Company Making Nuclear Waste Sorting Safer, Greener And Cheaper
Five-Year Isle Of Wight Landscape Plan Decision On Horizon
Help Sought For Isle Of Wight's Struggling Small Businesses
Primary School Admissions For September 2025 Now Open
Island Families Invited To Take Tour Of St Mary's Special Care Baby Unit
Work To Sink Three Boreholes At Leeson Road Due To Finish This Week
