A meeting discussing plans that threaten the closure of Oakfield Primary School had an “incredible” turnout on Thursday night at St John’s Church Hall in Ryde.
Councillor Michael Lilley chaired the Ryde Appley and Elmfield ward meeting and told attendees he had flagged his concerns about a possible closure to Ashley Whittaker, director of children’s services at the Isle of Wight council, before the council made its recent education proposals.
Meetings organised
Councillor Lilley said he had scheduled a meeting with the Church of England school’s headteacher, Vikki Reader, for Friday and was willing to listen to any parent and community concerns.
He also mentioned the possible involvement of the Church of England’s Diocese of Portsmouth and gave the bishop of Portsmouth, Jonathan Frost, the diocesan director of education, Jeff Williams, and the deputy diocesan director of education, Rob Saunders, as good points of contact.
Possible closure is only a recommendation
In response to an attendee who asked whether “the decision has already been taken” to close the school, Councillor Lilley answered no and confirmed a possible closure was currently only a recommendation.
When St Mary’s Catholic School in Ryde had been faced with closure, a consultation process along with Catholic representatives intervening had kept the school open, he added.
Lilley: Trying to find reasons
Answering a question on why the Isle of Wight council had proposed closing the school, Councillor Lilley said they were “trying to find reasons”.
Points raised by attendees included the disadvantages faced by children eligible for pupil premium funding as well as concerns over extended commutes and extra financial pressures on families already struggling with the cost of living.
Capacity to welcome entire classes
A teaching staff member said the school would have the capacity to welcome entire classes if it stayed open.
The member added this would be better than having children in temporary classrooms and splitting up classes all over Ryde.
Another attendee pointed to other services provided by the school: a community pantry, support for disadvantaged children and support for victims of domestic abuse.
Would be a “devastating” loss
A 39-year-old Elmfield resident who attended the meeting said it was “devastating”.
She said,
“My eldest has just left to go to high school and my youngest son has just started – it’s broken all of our hearts to potentially lose the school.”
She added a closure could cause “lots of parents” to not send their children to school anymore due to them living too far away.
Why Oakfield?
The Isle of Wight council’s school place planning proposals document sets out the council’s reasoning behind a possible closure.
It reads,
“Oakfield Church of England Primary School received a judgement of Requires Improvement at its last two Ofsted inspections and has academic outcomes that are consistently below national and local averages in attainment measures.
“The school has a published admission number of 30 and capacity for 420 pupils. The information and evidence from the annual admissions round indicates that pupil numbers at Oakfield Church of England Primary school fall significantly short of the school’s published admission number in some year groups.
“This means it is difficult for the school to be financially viable and to regularly have good outcomes for pupils.
“Oakfield Church of England Primary has a significant budget deficit of -£111,020 and is projected to increase dramatically.
“Children would be allocated a place at the next closest school with capacity to expand, which is Greenmount Primary School, or if the pupils and family have a faith, they would be supported to join St Mary’s Catholic Primary School.”
This article is from the BBC’s LDRS (Local Democracy Reporter Service) scheme, which News OnTheWight is taking part in. Some alterations and additions may have been made by OnTheWight. Ed
