Following an announcement from the Dept for Education that Isle of Wight Studio School will close in summer 2019, Isle of Wight politicians share their responses.
Inspire Academy Trust say they've been humbled by strong support shown by parents and students, but that the school is operating at only 40% of capacity.
The Head Teacher of the Studio School said the "constant references throughout the report to achieving our core values around helping to create confident business-ready young adults who are given the opportunity to succeed in a small, safe and caring community means a lot to us".
The academy sponsor and Department for Education say the school is not viable because of a lack of capacity, but the local councillor believes it is just the latest casualty of under-funding from the Government.
Campaigners say if the regional schools commissioner accepts the proposal to close the school, despite hundreds of students, parents, businesses and organisations putting forward strong and valid arguments, he won't have ‘listened’.
On the deadline to object to the Department for Education about the planned closure of the Isle of Wight Studio School the teachers' union, NEU, lend their support to the campaign.
Richard White, the headteacher of the Isle of Wight Studio school - which Inspire Academy Trust plan to close - said more students than ever before had signed up to start the school in September.
“If you believe in it, then fight for it!” is the call from those opposing the closure of the Isle of Wight Studio School. Parents and supporters are asked to join others outside County Hall this week to show their objection to the plans.
A 4,000 strong petition has been calling for the Isle of Wight council to step in and help save the school. The cabinet member responsible has been pretty quiet up until now.
The national education spokesperson for the Green Party claims "local and national politicians who make speeches about social mobility, improving standards and increasing opportunities for young people outside of the classroom, really must step forward with urgency, put these words into action" and fight to save the Isle of Wight Studio School.