A full hour of public questions were heard at tonight’s (Thursday) Isle of Wight council cabinet meeting, prior to a decision to go ahead with a public consultation that could see six primary schools close by September 2025.
Chair of the Cabinet, Phil Jordan (Alliance), extended the time given for public questions from the usual 15 minutes to one hour in order to hear parents’ questions and concerns.
A variety of issues were raised by parents, including the use of temporary buildings, transport, the inequity of academies not being included in the list of possible closures, health and well being of vulnerable pupils and families and more (extra detail to come on these later).
Bacon: Head Teachers have been loudest voice
Councillor Jonathan Bacon (Alliance), the cabinet lead for Education, assured members of the public that their views would be heard in the consultation and urged everyone to give their feedback.
He said that Head Teachers have been loudest voice demanding action and that half-funded schools can’t maintain staff, teachers, resources, maintenance of buildings etc.
Councillor Bacon reminded those at the meeting that unless surplus places were addressed, the local authority would not be able to improve educational standards and lift the Isle of Wight up from the bottom of the league tables.
Stephens: Get our education system back to where it should be
Councillor Ian Stephens (Alliance) gave a passionate speech on the subject, explaining that he grew up on the Island, was educated here and is not just a councillor, but a resident too.
He thanked the council officers for their work so far, adding,
“The hard work will bring positive results I am sure of it.”
He said,
“This is the start of a movement to get our education system back to where it should be.”
Vote in favour
Members voted in favour of launching the public consultation.
Ellis: This could leave rural centre of the Island entirely without primary provision
Councillor Suzie Ellis (Con), the Ward Member for Central Rural (the parishes of Arreton, Godshill, Chillerton & Gatcombe and Rookley) told OnTheWight,
“Whilst I fully support the long-overdue school place planning strategy for Island Schools, I was devastated to learn that both remaining Primary Schools in Central Rural – Godshill and St Georges, Arreton – are among the six primary schools named for consultation on closure. Together with Wroxall Primary, this decision could leave the rural centre of the Island, and some 400 children, entirely without primary provision.
“Since last Wednesday’s announcement, I have visited both schools to offer my support, attended an information evening held for parents at Godshill, spoken with many parents, and am working closely with headteachers and governors to explore alternative solutions that would not leave the rural centre of the Island without primary provision.
“There is an absolute need for change, but we must ensure it’s the right change, incorporating compromise and sustainability for our communities.
“I will work proactively with the schools, the wider communities, and IWC officers and Councillors to look at alternative solutions to ensure that primary school education can be sustained within the rural centre of the Island.”
Lilley: Perceived as punishing those that are the poorest in our community
Councillor Michael Lilley, ward councillor for Ryde Appley and Elmfield, told OnTheWight,
“I am deeply disappointed that a school in the poorest area of Ryde, Oakfield and parts of Elmfield, with children and families living in the reality of low incomes, food poverty and a cost of living crisis are now faced with the insecurity that the school which really cares is threatened with closure.
“I do feel this can be perceived as punishing those that are the poorest in our community.
“I will do all I can to support Oakfield School to be saved.”
Bacon: I think it is the right thing to do
Following the meeting, Councillor 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.”
Hughes: Disappointed, devastated
Reacting to the decision, Jen Hughes, a parent who asked question at the beginning of the meeting, 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.”
More details to follow later.
Article edits
7.15pm 12th Sep 2024 – Comment from SE added
7.30pm 12th Sep 2024 – Comment from ML added
8.25am 13th Sep 2024 – Comment from JB and JH (collected by the LDR) added
