This coming Monday (21st October) parents, pupils and staff will be meeting in Newport for a protest march and rally against the proposed closure of six Isle of Wight primary schools.
Parents, pupils and campaigners are preparing to gather at 11.30am in St James’s Square, where they will start their march through the town.
Peaceful demonstration planned
The protestors plan to walk down Newport High Street, continuing towards County Hall before returning to St Thomas’s Square. Organisers have confirmed that the police have been informed, and there is no intention of blocking the road during the march.
The group hopes to draw attention to the consultation process on the proposed school closures, which is currently underway. Once back in St Thomas’s Square, campaigners will engage with the public, distributing consultation forms to encourage more people to have their say.
Raising awareness
Parents and children are set to bring their instruments, signs and plenty of energy to ensure their message is heard.
One of the campaigners said,
“We shall bring the kids and make a right racket with instruments and signs.”
The rally is part of a wider effort by local residents to challenge the planned closures, which they argue will negatively impact the Island’s educational landscape.
The council say the closures are necessary to address falling birth rates and to improve educational outcomes for children now and in the future.
Focus on community engagement
The consultation forms handed out during the rally aim to give the wider community a chance to participate in the decision-making process. Organisers want to ensure that as many people as possible are aware of the proposals and have the opportunity to voice their concerns.
Campaigners hope that by raising awareness locally, they can prevent the closures and protect the future of the Island’s primary schools.
