As reported by News OnTheWight last night (catch up here), the future of Chillerton and Rookley Primary School will once again be under the spotlight.
At the next Isle of Wight Council cabinet meeting, in October, it will be decided whether or not to go out to consultation over the future of the small rural primary.
Cllr Debbie Andre, the local authority’s member for children’s education, announced the decision yesterday (Thursday) when members met at County Hall.
She halted an earlier consultation and decision when she took over the role in May. It meant the primary school was able to open this month, for another school year.
Andre: Want to take a measured approach
Cllr Andre said,
“When I first came into post…we did pause this decision as we wanted to take a measured approach. This is exactly what we have done.
“We will fully consider the results of the consultation and then decide a way forward.
“We recognise we do need to make a decision, but it was only right and proper we make a fully informed decision.”
Extremely low pupil intake numbers
The primary school, run by the Stenbury Federation, was under threat earlier this year, when it was revealed extremely low to nonexistent pupil intake numbers and funding problems had made the school ‘untenable’, according to headteacher Mark Snow.
Snow: “We need the bums on seats”
Speaking at a meeting of the Chillerton and Gatcombe Parish Council in March, Mr Snow said,
“Fundamentally as a school, we need children to be in it.
“We need the bums on seats, but if they are not there, the school is difficult to manage with a budget that is shrinking by the day. We have to make some difficult decisions.”
Call for flexi-school
Campaign group Save Our School has been pushing for flexi-school options.
A spokesperson for the group thanked the new council for listening to concerns.
Six-week consultation
If it gets the go ahead next month, a six-week consultation will being and the findings will be brought back to the cabinet in Spring 2022, including recommendations and a timeframe for action.
This article is from the BBC’s LDRS (Local Democracy Reporter Service) scheme, which News OnTheWight is part of. Read here to find about more about how that scheme works on the Island. Some alterations and additions may have been made by News OnTheWight. Ed
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