As any parent of school age children will know, the reorganisation of the schools from three-tier to two-tier is now in full flow.
Primary schools now accommodate year five pupils and from September this year, they’ll also accommodate year six pupils, as all Island middle schools will be closing their doors at the end of the summer term for the last time.
This leaves the dilemma for the council of what to do with the middle school sites.
Nodehill earmarked for 6th Form
As we mentioned in July last year, Nodehill Middle School is earmarked to become the site for Sixth Form pupils from Medina and Carisbrooke High Schools.
A Delegated Decision Report was released today with four options under consideration, although only three relate specifically to the site in question.
It’s also interesting to see that use of the site for relocation of the Lord Louis Library, Records Office and other council offices was under consideration.
- Option A – To grant a five year full repairing and insuring lease of Nodehill premises to Island Innovation Trust.
- Option B – To provide 11-19 education solely on the existing Carisbrooke High School and Medina High Schools premises respectively.
- Option C – To dispose of the site.
- Option D – To relocate the Lord Louis Library, Records Office and / or other Council services to Nodehill Middle School premises.
Option A recommended
The report recommends approval of Option A, with the following risk management and evaluation considerations.
Option A – The grant of a 5 year lease of the Nodehill premises to Island Innovation Trust will allow the Trust to deliver a broad and balanced curriculum for up to five hundred and fifty 16-19 year old students. The lease will be reviewed at the end of the term and account will be taken of pupil numbers, and the availability of schools capital to facilitate purpose built provision prior to the grant of a further term.
Option B – The use of the existing High School premises only would restrict the curriculum offer to 11-19 year old pupils, and not allow those studying at both institutions to access a wider range of subjects. This would have an impact on standards of learning and attainment.
Option C – Disposing of the site was considered prior to the issue of competition notices for the provision of a new 11-19 school. This option would restrict the new provider to delivering a limited curriculum offer to 11-19 year old students at both schools. This would have a detrimental impact in standards of learning and attainment. This option will however be kept under review and a planning brief developed to support any future disposal.
Option D – A feasibility study was undertaken to explore the possibility of relocating the Library and Records Office to the Nodehill premises. The cost of pursuing this option was prohibitive but opportunities for relocation will be kept under review. As paragraph 6 outlines, the use of Nodehill for a joint sixth form would still allow for the development of a joint public library in future years (if so desired).
The decision will be made sometime between now and the 25th February.
See the Delegated Decision Report for more detail.
