Questions to the cabinet member responsible for the school place plan debacle, Councillor Debbie Andre, remain unanswered this week.
As previously reported by News OnTheWight, the naming of four schools possibly closing as part of scheme by Isle of Wight council to tackle a significant fall in pupil numbers, and the subsequent withdrawal of this proposal, has left families in limbo.
Under fire for handling
The shock announcement was made on the Friday before May half term – only to be withdrawn a week later. However, the report heading for the Isle of Wight council’s cabinet meeting that month named three schools for possible closure and another to be amalgamated, before parents or staff knew anything about the plans.
The schools named in the report were Cowes Primary School; St Mary’s Roman Catholic Primary School, Ryde; Wroxall Primary School and Chillerton and Rookley Primary School.
The cabinet member subsequently came under fire from members of the Corporate Scrutiny Committee, as well as parents and school staff.
Unanswered questions
Following discussions with a parent from St Mary’s School, News OnTheWight put a series of questions to Councillor Andre. We asked:
- Why were those particular three schools named in the paper for June’s Cabinet meeting?
- Why was Ryde chosen? We understand there are no Year 4 places across the entire town and there are three large planning applications currently being considered.
- Where will children from the proposed Pennyfeathers estate attend school?
- Why choose a faith school? The nearest Catholic school to Ryde is in East Cowes and it does not have a preschool.
- Why St Mary’s? It’s a much-loved school with rapidly-improving results and new leadership. The school has rising pupil numbers and a full staff team for September and apparently their preschool is thriving.
- You are quoted as saying “our children are our future, we must give them a voice” and “I plan to visit all of the schools on the Island.” Please advise when you will be visiting St Mary’s, as we understand you have not yet done so.
Failed to answer
Despite chasing up a reply to our questions, four days have passed and Councillor Andre has still failed to provide answers or even an acknowledgment.
Public meeting
However, the council have announced a public information meeting where staff and parents are invited to hear about how data is collected and used to forecast pupil places, and also about how the shortfall in pupil places in schools affects school budgets and recruitment.
All welcome
The 90-minute session takes place at Medina Theatre on Tuesday 11th July starting at 6.30pm, will look at the high numbers of surplus places that currently exist across the primary sector and the further increase that is forecast for future years.
Council officers will discuss the significant impacts that not managing the surplus has on the schools themselves and children’s education.
