Cabinet members are being asked to consider plans for the Isle of Wight Council to start a full public consultation on the future of Chillerton and Rookley Primary School.
Pupil numbers at the school have fallen steadily over the past few years and currently stand at 22. Its capacity is 91.
£120,000 deficit forecasted
As schools are funded on a ‘per pupil’ basis, surplus places are resulting in a significant funding challenge for the school, which is forecasting a budget deficit of £118,057 in 2022/23.
To respond to this issue, an informal consultation on the amalgamation of the school with Godshill Primary School was launched earlier this year at the request of the Stenbury Foundation, which governs both schools.
Full consultation planned
A new report published yesterday (Wednesday) includes many of the suggestions made during that process — all of which will undergo a full, six-week public consultation if approved by Cabinet on Thursday (14th October).
A range of options
The options are wide-ranging and include:
- Leave both schools open and federated, meaning the status quo remains.
- Amalgamate Chillerton and Rookley Primary School with Godshill Primary School with the closure of Chillerton and Rookley Primary School.
- Amalgamate Chillerton and Rookley Primary School with Godshill Primary School with the closure of Godshill Primary School.
- Seek an academy/free school sponsor for Chillerton and Rookley Primary School and, if successful, defederate the school from the Stenbury Federation.
- Defederate Chillerton and Rookley from the Stenbury Federation and re-form it as a stand-alone primary school.
- Seek another local maintained school to federate with Chillerton and Rookley Primary School.
- Set up provision for flexi-schooling on the Chillerton and Rookley site to sit alongside full-time provision.
The council would also welcome any other suggestions from stakeholders during the proposed consultation.
Andre: Taking a measured and thorough approach
Cllr Debbie Andre, Cabinet member for children’s services, education and skills, said,
“In line with our administration’s commitment to taking a measured and thorough approach, no decisions have yet been made.
“This report for Cabinet sets out the options for a full and comprehensive public consultation during the second half of this autumn term in which everyone can have their voices heard and we will listen.
“I would urge anyone who has an interest to take part in the consultation so that as many views as possible can be given to inform next steps.
“We remain fully committed to ensuring all pupils have access to high-quality educational provision.”
Subject to approval, a further report would be presented to Cabinet next spring setting out the outcomes of the consultation, including recommendations.
To read the Cabinet paper in full, see below.
News shared by Isle of Wight council press office, in their own words. Ed
Image: © Google Maps/Streetview
