The chair of governors of a primary school has slammed the Isle of Wight Council for deferring the final decision on its future once again.
In a letter sent to Cllr Debbie Andre, the council’s education lead, Diane Barker, on behalf of the Stenbury Federation, has criticised the council’s handling of the future of Chillerton and Rookley Primary School.
After listening to concerns from campaigners and the council’s scrutiny committee, Cllr Andre deferred the school closure last week.
She is to speak to the Island Free School about forming a partnership.
Barker: We haven’t felt listened to at any point
Now, Ms Barker has questioned a lack of communication with the council, saying the governors felt ignored.
She said,
“You claim to be a listening administration. We haven’t felt listened to at any point.”
She said they had ‘high expectations’ of councillors taking decisions fairly, openly and transparently, so it was with ‘disappointment and frustration’ they learnt the decision was discussed with the Save Our School campaign before it was made, but not Stenbury governors.
Administration had not corrected misinformation
Ms Barker also said at no point had the Alliance administration refuted any of the ‘misinformation’, ‘slurs’ or ‘claims’ made by the campaign which had a ‘damaging effect on all involved.’
She said the authority had not listened to the majority of voices in the community who had responded to the consultation — which showed 32 per cent preferred to close the school and send pupils to school in Godshill.
Ms Barker said,
“Council decision-making appears to be currently influenced by false rhetoric and not driven by hard evidence, however difficult and unpopular these decisions may have to be.”
Demands
The governors have called for the decision to be explained to them; them to be told what the school’s way forward will be and what the council’s revised timeline looks like.
They are also demanding to know why the Island Free School had a meeting to discuss a new governing body, but the council chose not to communicate with the current one.
Robertson: Making the council look ridiculous
The letter was also sent to Cllr Andre in an email from opposition, Conservative group leader, Cllr Joe Robertson, copying in all council members.
In the email, Cllr Robertson says it was in the interests of everyone concerned that Cllr Andre show accountability and leadership.
He said,
“Your handling of this situation is making the council look ridiculous while children and families are suffering from the ongoing uncertainty you have created.”
This article is from the BBC’s LDRS (Local Democracy Reporter Service) scheme, which News OnTheWight is taking part in. Some alterations and additions may have been made by OnTheWight. Ed
