The Diocese of Portsmouth has referred the Isle of Wight council to the Office of the Schools Adjudicator (OSA) over the process it followed when selecting which schools it might close.
Lawyers wrote to the council’s legal team on Friday (21st March 2025), the day after its Cabinet had voted to close Arreton St George C of E School and Cowes Primary School. The fact that Cabinet members voted not to go ahead with the closure of three other schools did not change the diocese’s view that the process before that decision was flawed.
The OSA will review the evidence around the process, decisions, criteria, and other issues relating to the five schools involved – and specifically the decision to close Arreton St George CofE Primary School. These concerns have already been raised with the council itself.
“Always acknowledged a need for IWC to rationalise school provision”
Jeff Williams, the diocese’s director of education has also written today (24th March 2025) to council leader Councillor Phil Jordan, Cabinet members, and members of the Corporate Scrutiny Committee to explaining why this action is being taken.
He said,
“While we are pleased that the cabinet accepted the evidence and arguments, and voted against the recommendation to close Oakfield CofE Primary, Brading CofE Primary and Wroxall Primary Schools, we remain concerned about the process, lack of transparent criteria, secure evidence and information on which councillors based their decision provided by your officers, to close Arreton St George’s CofE Primary and Cowes Primary School.
“Senior officers continue to state publicly that the process they have followed is secure, despite the multiple errors and issues that have been pointed out not only by us, our headteachers, residents and others, but importantly by members of the council’s own Corporate Scrutiny Committee and clearly understood by the IoW Cabinet in its decision. This is a serious concern and impacts on our future engagement regarding any process that is proposed.
“The view of the Local Government Association (LGA) is repeatedly cited by your senior officers as a basis for their views and is used to reassure councillors in their decision making. The information presented to the LGA occurred many months ago and did not include the significant and extensive information and evidence we and others have cited; it was partial; it did not contain reference to all the issues, errors and actions taken by officers that remain a serious concern for us – and were referenced by the IW council’s own Scrutiny Committee and its Cabinet.
“We have always acknowledged that there is a need for the Isle of Wight council to rationalise school provision. Clearly this needs to happen again, but we are concerned that the premises and fundamentally flawed positions that are still held by your senior officers will re-surface and again cause unnecessary disruption, distress and uncertainty for children, families and communities.”
The outcome of the review by the OSA will be made public, and the diocese will adhere to whatever decision is made by the OSA.
News shared by Neil on behalf of the Diocese of Portsmouth. Ed
