At last night’s Isle of Wight council cabinet meeting a full hour was given over for public question time – compared to the usual 15 minutes.
Below are the written questions that were received in advance of the meeting, along with Councillor Jonathan Bacon’s replies. A write up of all oral questions to follow later.
The cabinet voted in favour of the public consultation – the consultation will run from Friday 20th September to Friday 1st November 2024.
Richards: What benchmarking has been carried out?
Mrs R Richards asked the leader
” I note from the document Isle of Wight School Place Planning Proposals 2024 – 2030 p5 that should the Council agree to the reductions proposed, this would result in a 29% surplus in places for the next 5 years providing flexibility for parental choice and if demand increases.
“What benchmarking has been carried out and how does this surplus compare to Local Authorities with the best outcomes for children in their schools?”
Councillor Bacon responded,
“The Department for Education recommend that local authorities, wherever practicable, maintain a surplus of places to ensure there is an element of parental preference and spaces for families that move into an area. Reducing the number of surplus places ensures better use of available resources but does restrict greater parental preference.
“In addition to this it is acknowledged that the Island has a high proportion of rural areas and through the engagement sessions it was considered a very important factor for pupils and parents living on the Isle of Wight.
“A benchmarking exercise against other Local Authorities has not yet been carried out however if Cabinet provide approval to consult this will be considered and information shared through Cabinet in December 2024.”
Condliffe: Consider children’s emotional and mental health
Ms K Condliffe asked,
“Has any thought been given to the children’s emotional and mental health? Bearing in mind they have only just recovered emotionally and mentally from covid.”
Councillor Bacon responded,
“The health and well being of our Children and young people is a priority in all areas of Children’s Services, and will remain a key priority.
“Schools identified through the consultation process will be prioritised for support through a new initiative called ‘My Happy Mind’ which aims to help schools, nurseries and families create a culture of positive mental well-being. My Happy Mind is a whole school and every child approach and is not just reserved for those at the point of need and will work complimentary and collaboratively with existing Social Emotional Mental Health and well-being services on the IW.”
Lambell: Cowes Primary excels academically in the early and later years
Mr S Lambell asked,
“How can a school that shows better academic results than the schools nearby (Cowes Primary) be asked to close, when surely looking at the stats this school excels academically in the early and later years.”
Councillor Bacon responded,
“The Isle of Wight Council have reviewed all primary school provision across the Island to ensure that a reduction of school places can be achieved. Due to the level of surplus places within the Cowes planning area, reductions must be made and a school closure is not avoidable. Cowes Primary School has a published admission number of 30 and physical capacity for 315 pupils. The information and evidence from the review tells us that the school has been under-subscribed in each of the last two years and pupil numbers fall significantly short of the school’s published admission number each year.
“This means it is difficult for the school to be financially viable and to regularly have good outcomes for pupils. Recent academic improvements have been achieved, however historically the end of primary outcomes have been below national average.
“As identified within the report alternative options have been considered, however the local authority does not have the legal ability to propose the closure of an academy.”
Richards: Higher surplus place in two years
Mr S Richards asked,
“The reduction in primary school places is cited as the most important factor in improving the quality of education across Island schools as part of the Education Strategy.
“How does the Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, Education and Corporate Functions plan to raise education standards when the level of surplus primary places just two years after proposed school closures is forecast to be higher than the current level of surplus places?”
Councillor Bacon responded,
“The Isle of Wight Council has a statutory duty to ensure the sufficiency of school places, and a key part to this will be the adoption of a new School Place Planning Strategy. This is a constant workstream that all Local Authorities should review on an annual basis.
“By September 2027, we forecast with no changes to have approximately 443 vacant school places. The proposals would see a reduction to 253 surplus places.
“It is acknowledged that is still a high proportion of surplus places, but the Local Authority must also consider the current number of children within our primary schools, and it is our professional opinion that closing 6 schools and reducing 2 schools planned admission number is an appropriate first step to reducing the level of surplus places.”
Paul: Why send pupils to a smaller school put into portable cabins?
Mr S Paul asked,
“Why would you close Oakfield only to send pupils to a smaller school with children put into portable cabins placed on what would (and should) be their playground?
“Would it surely not be much more sensible to send the children over to Oakfield from Greenmount as Oakfield has a much larger site and relatively new building, much more able to accommodate the increase in students, including those from the proposed developments in east Ryde?
“Greenmount could then be used as a satellite for medina house, without the need for students to be forced into portable cabins!”
Councillor Bacon responded,
“It is acknowledged that there are currently higher numbers of children in the upper years of primary schools across the Island (Typically Years 5 and 6), however the review of the sufficiency of school places is aimed at reducing the number of mainstream school places to align with the declining birth rate and to improve the education system across the Island.
“Greenmount Primary School was identified as a potential option for children to be offered a school place due to them having some existing accommodation that could be used to accommodate bulge year groups but could also reduce the building footprint in the future, should this be required.
“In addition to this utilising the Summer 2024 school census data this identified that Greenmount Primary School had 284 children living within a 1-mile radius of the school, Oakfield Primary CE School had 200. This data indicates that there is a greater need for a school located in the area of Greenmount, however more detailed reviews would take place if approval is provided to consult.”
“The summary document provides all of the key data and information as to why Oakfield CE Primary School has been identified for potential closure.”
Paul: “More sensible to close more rural smaller schools such as St Helens”
Mr W Paul asked,
“Would it not be more sensible to close more rural smaller schools such as St Helens which as I understand has smaller class sizes and fewer children that live in close proximity to the school.
“Unlike Oakfield which has a large number of children who live in close proximity to the school, who under the current proposal would have a significantly longer journey to walk to Greenmount.
“I feel this would not help attendance and also I would not be happy about my grandchildren walking such a distance, especially in the winter and potentially in the dark.
“Some parents may not have cars or be able to afford the bus fare.”
Councillor Bacon responded,
“Cabinet are being asked to consider proceeding with a consultation on the closure of Oakfield CE Primary School. This consultation process would include understanding views on the proposal such as those expressed.
“Oakfield CE Primary School has 4 schools located within 1.3 miles (measured by direct distance):
- St Marys RC Primary
- Dover Park Primary
- Haylands Primary
- Greenmount Primary
“It is important to note that St Helens Primary School is designated a Rural School and therefore there are additional factors when considering a closure. The “Opening and Closing of Maintained Schools” guidance sets out that there is a presumption against the closure of rural schools. This presumption does not mean that rural schools can never close, but that the case for closure should be strong and clearly in the best interests of educational provision in the area.
“Given the strong educational outcomes of St Helens Primary School the Local Authority are not currently considering the closure of this school.”
Binfield: Instead consult on the closure of St Helen’s school
Mr N Binfield asked,
“Could the cabinet member for education please explain to the chamber how placing Brading Children into temporary accommodation at two schools and in the case of St Helen’s a school that does not have a working kitchen which results in hot meals being driven over five miles to school drives up standards and improves well being.
“Can the said member reconsider his decision to consult on closing brading school and instead consult on the closure of St Helen’s school meaning children can attend a school with appropriate facilities?”
Councillor Bacon responded,
“At this stage an amendment to the schools identified within consultation proposals will not be considered.
“Cabinet are being asked to consider proceeding with a consultation on the closure of Brading CE Primary School. This consultation process would include understanding views on the proposal such as those expressed.”
A supplementary question was also asked by Mr Binfield,
“Could the cabinet member for education please explain to the chamber how low income families are expected to get their children to school from Brading on expensive buses on roads often affected by flooding?“Could the cabinet member for education please reconsider his proposals to consult on the closure of Brading school and consult on the closure of St Helen’s which has a more sustainable and quicker service to Bembridge for those who don’t drive?”
Councillor Bacon responded,
“At this stage an amendment to the schools identified within consultation proposals will not be considered.
“With regards to transport or unsafe walking routes the normal school transport policy would apply. Further information can be found on the website.”
Wilson: A quarter children moved away from school after previous botched consultation
Dr R Wilson asked,
“Prior to the unhelpful intervention of the council several months back, Cowes Primary was a thriving school with a healthy intake. Cowes was mistakenly labelled as a school for closure which the council acknowledged fault for eventually.
“This caused a quarter of the school to move their children away, labelling Cowes Primary as not financially viable. Is there any possibility that if Cowes Primary were to be confirmed to not be at threat of closure that Cowes Primary would again have a full compliment of pupils?
“Furthermore, we are in the middle of the Covid intake and experiencing a nadir of birth-rate. If an intake of Cowes’ 2nd year were to be achieved, by closing Cowes Primary it would not be able to school these children in Cowes. Have other less drastic and less permanent options such as closing one of Gurnard’s or (the failing) Lane’s Ends’ forms been explored?”
Councillor Bacon responded,
“Below is the forecast data for the Cowes Primary Planning Area:
| School | PAN | Year R Numbers | Surplus | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 23/24 | 24/25 | 25/26 | 26/27 | 27/28 | % 23/24 | % 27/28 |
||
| Cowes Primary | 30 | 17 | 10 | 16 | 17 | 15 | 43% | 50% |
| Gurnard Primary | 60 | 60 | 47 | 45 | 47 | 42 | 0% | 30% |
| Northwood Primary School | 30 | 23 | 20 | 18 | 19 | 17 | 23% | 43% |
| Lanesend Primary | 60 | 39 | 47 | 34 | 36 | 32 | 35% | 47% |
| Area Total | 180 | 139 | 124 | 113 | 119 | 106 | 23% | 41% |
| Number of surplus places in area | 41 | 56 | 67 | 61 | 74 | |||
| NHS Data - Overall number of children living in area | 136 | 109 | 110 | 115 | 102 |
“From this data it is noted that a level of surplus places already exists within the area, with no schools filling to their planned admission number this academic year (2024/25) This surplus is set to significantly increase and therefore the local authority does not feel the option of avoiding a school closure is viable.”
Bower: Temp class rooms in a school they don’t know not acceptable
Ms L Bower asked,
“Where do you propose to educate the children in larger year groups?
“I don’t think temporary class rooms in a school they don’t know, for 1 year, are acceptable for children who have already had education affected by covid and are due to start secondary in September 2026.”
Councillor Bacon responded,
“Within the Cabinet report it details options which parents/carers would be offered a school place for their child. However, if parents/carers preference is for their child to attend an alternative school the Local Authority would work with them to understand which is closest to their home address. Due the level of surplus places that currently exists within the primary school system our initial view is that only a small amount of temporary accommodation would be required.
“However, should Cabinet take the decision to approve the consultations a detailed review will take place during this process to understand parental preference and any additional works that would be required to support this.”
Thomas: Will staff be TUPEd?
J Thomas asked,
“Will the staff be transferred under TUPE to Gurnard alongside the Cowes Primary Children?”
Councillor Bacon responded,
“As the Council are the employer for both schools, TUPE would not apply in these circumstances.”
Rogers: There should be an alternative C of E school nearby
Ms Z Rogers asked,
“Jeff Williams the diocesan director of education emailed us and said, I quote ‘Our view is that if an education authority proposes the closure of a CofE school, there should be an alternative CofE school nearby that parents are able to send their children to. There should be a solution that allows parents to have that choice.
“Can you tell us which ‘nearby’ school that’s a C of E school has enough spaces for all of our children, in order to meet this criteria?”
Councillor Bacon responded,
“Whilst it is not a statutory requirement to automatically allocate pupils from a closing Church of England School to another, if parents/carers preference is for their child to attend an alternative Church of England School the Local Authority would work with them to understand which is closest to their home address.”
Valvona: Could all six schools close?
Mr L Valvona asked,
“Is the proposal to close the six schools being considered with a view to either closing all six, or possibly only some of the six?”
Councillor Bacon responded,
“The proposal within the Cabinet report is to consult on the reduction of surplus school places and expansion of Special Educational Needs provision across the Island to support improved education standards within the context of the emerging Education Strategy. This could result in the closure of all six schools.”
Valvona: More SEND provision?
Mrs J Valvona asked,
“What is being proposed for more SEND provision, Is there going to be a specialist school or will there be more units within mainstream schools?”
Councillor Bacon responded,
“The Isle of Wight Council has identified plans to expand the number of Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) provision across the Island by more than 200 places. Part of this expansion programme has already commenced, with St Georges School opening a new satellite provision in East Cowes which is the Island’s first school dedicated to children and young people with social, emotional and mental health (SEMH). Other expansions include increasing the number of places at Greenmount Primary Schools Resourced Provision from 6 to 12 places, and Medina House School expanding their capacity from 104 to 138. All three provisions are now open and have provided an additional 60 places for children and young people this September.
“Within the report there this details the wider SEND Expansion proposals which if approved, will be consulted on alongside the reduction of mainstream places. One of these proposals does include the expansion of Medina House School through a satellite provision. This proposal would be achieved through the reutilisation of the Oakfield Church of England Primary School site.
“An additional proposal is a consultation on the closure of Arreton Church of England Primary School, and the reutilisation of the site for a new therapeutic high anxiety mental health provision. All of which would be subject to further consultation with the Diocese and Department for Education.
“Full details can be found within pages 49- 52 within the document on the website.”
[I will try and add the oral questions and answers later today. Ed]
