Initially faced with closure during the Conservative Administration’s school reorganisation, Weston Primary was saved after achieving academy status back in 2011. It was the first Academy Primary on the Isle of Wight.
Sadly for the school, their sponsor, Academies Enterprise Trust (AET), have today (Tuesday) confirmed the Secretary of State for Education, Nicky Morgan (pictured), has agreed in principle to the closure of the village primary school at the end of this autumn term (31 December 2015).
Drop in pupil numbers
Declining pupil numbers (current number on roll is 56) at Weston Academy in Totland, which was placed in Special Measures earlier this year, has led to the proposal.
AET say the proposal follows a period of careful consideration by the Department of Education (DfE) and Academies Enterprise Trust (AET) to secure a successful way forward for every child.
Smooth transition promised
A spokesperson for AET said,
“The DfE and AET have been working with Isle of Wight Council officers to ensure that in the event of closure there will be a smooth transition to local schools where there are sufficient places for every child.
“Parents and carers of Weston pupils will be written to individually by Isle of Wight Council officers in the week beginning Monday 28 September and invited to state preferences for alternative local primary schools.”
Meeting for parents and carers
Parents and carers are invited to attend a meeting at 3.45pm until 5pm on Thursday 24 September at the school where representatives of the DfE, AET and Isle of Wight Council officers will be present to discuss the way forward.
They are also invited to submit their views on the proposed primary closure to academy.questions@education.gsi.gov.uk by 7 October 2015.
Staff consultation
A staff consultation period will run from Tuesday 22 September until Monday 19 October.
In the event of closure every effort will be made, working in close cooperation with Isle of Wight Council, to seek alternative employment on the Island.
Low forecasted pupil numbers
Ian Comfort, Group CEO for Academies Enterprise Trust, said:
“Although there have been significant improvements in the quality of education at Weston Academy over the past school year the current low pupil numbers and the forecast figures will make this increasingly difficult to maintain in the future.
“The crucial issue is to ensure that the right decision is made now to ensure that every child has the best possible opportunities to succeed and achieve high standards.”
A spokesperson for AET confirmed they lease the land from the Council and in the event of closure, the land would revert to the Council.
Article edit
Details about land being leased from the council.
