Following an independent review into five of the Island’s primary schools, a report issued to the Isle of Wight Council recommends that at least four of the schools federate in order to remain on their existing sites.
The report, which Standards Not Tiers fully endorses, will be presented to the Cabinet at the end of the month (31 March), when a decision on the future of the schools will be made.
We haven’t had a chance to go through the reports with a fine tooth comb yet, but the summary is that the five schools will be able to remain on their existing sites if the Council follow the recommendations of the independent panel.
Recommendations
Nettlestone will become 1FE primary school on its existing site.
Brading and St Helens, by means of federation, will become 0.5FE primaries on their existing sites, with each of the two governing bodies developing, consulting upon and agreeing on arrangements to establish a statutory federation, either with each other or with different suitable partner schools.
Yarmouth and Shalfleet schools are also being recommended to federate the two 4-11 primary schools, using their existing sites.
What Does Federation Mean?
A statutory federation involves a single governing body and leadership of the federation being formed from the schools within the federation.
The schools can retain their own name, ethos and admissions arrangements.
If these recommendations are accepted, further statutory consultation must then be held, within the communities of the federating schools, in respect of the schools’ proposals for federation. If agreed by Cabinet, this process will take place during the summer term period.
