This in from those behind the New Island Community School. In their own words. Ed
The group set up on the Island to establish an alternative to the large secondary schools established after middle schools were abolished, have said that some primary schools have refused to distribute surveys to parents.
“Parents being denied choice”
The group’s spokesman Chris Welsford said, “Parents are being denied choice by this decision. Under the Government’s rules for obtaining funding we are required to establish demand for the new school. I understand that many primary schools, such as Niton for example, have sent the surveys home and their parents have had the chance to decide for themselves whether or not to respond.
“Many have already done so and the demand for the new school is clearly there. It does seem very unfair to block parents from receiving this information and not allow them a chance to choose whether or not to support the new school.”
Parents should have had survey
He went on to say, “By now all parents with children at primary schools should have had their surveys but if by any chance they haven’t then we would like to get a message out that the surveys were delivered to all the schools with the exception of Barton and Bembridge, who both refused to even take delivery of them.
“If parents have not had a copy but would like to take part in the survey, then they need to go back to the school and ask why they have not been given a copy. Alternatively they can contact us via our website and show their support that way.”
Face to face survey
The group now intends to collect the views of parents directly outside primary schools that refused to cooperate and in this way parents will have a chance to say whether or not they would be happy sending their child to a small secondary school along the lines being proposed.
For details of the proposed new school please visit our website
Information on how successful small secondary schools can be, can found online.
Image: Dawn Ashley under CC BY 2.0
