Significant investment in improving the fabric of Island schools is proposed in the Isle of Wight Council’s draft 2022/23 budget supported by Cabinet last week.
The new £4.9 million primary school in the West Wight (pictured) is due to open next February while almost £9 million will have been invested in refurbishing and remodelling the Bay School (secondary site), Sandown, by October 2022.
Other substantial works will be completed at Newchurch Primary School and Medina House School this summer.
Rising budgets
Primary and secondary schools will see their budgets rise in the coming year, from £4,519 to £4,825 per pupil and from £5,863 to £6,245 per pupil respectively.
Elsewhere, in children’s services, the council is proposing an extra £2.3 million in funding with plans to:
- invest in its high-achieving early help family hubs;
- focus on increasing the number of in-house foster carers;
- further improve support and training for carers, including emotional wellbeing support;
- enhance placement stability for children;
- increase the range of accommodation options for care experienced young people.
This will be supported by completing the introduction of a new case management system to reduce the administrative burden on social workers and help them to spend even more time with the young people that need them.
Andre: Challenge of providing the best possible service on a shoestring
Cllr Debbie Andre, Cabinet member for children’s services, education and lifelong skills, said,
“The additional funding will help us to support our Island children and young people in areas such as providing a better learning environment, early help and support for families and continued improvements in training and support for our children’s social workers.
“However, we are still faced with the challenge of providing the best possible service on a shoestring. Additional funding received as a direct result of the pandemic such as the Holiday Activity and Food fund and the Household Support Grant has shown us how targeted financial support can have the greatest effect and really help those families and children who need it most.
“However, we need to provide sustained support to raise our Island families and children out of poverty. This is a real challenge when budgets are set on an annual basis. We will continue to work together across our Cabinet portfolios in areas such as housing and regeneration to use funding wisely and where it will have the greatest impact.”
The proposed budget will go before Full Council on Wednesday, 23rd February.
News shared by Isle of Wight council press office, in their own words. Ed
