Passing through Chale Green last week, I saw a couple of large “Save Chale” banners up around the village (this one is outside Chale Green Stores).
Instead of simply saying “Save our School”, the community is drawing attention to how the whole of Chale and Chale Green could be badly affected if the local primary school closes.
According to the campaign’s website, “The Isle of Wight Council decision to close our village school poses a serious threat to village life as we know it.
If the school closes, young families will move away or not be attracted to move into our village, as having a village school is one of the reasons Chale is a sought after place to live.”
Unlike St Helen’s and Yarmouth primaries which have been reprieved after the council agreed with the independent review that recommended they stay open through federation with neighbouring schools, Chale is still on the hit list.
Apart from creating the website, villagers have started a petition to save the school, supported by MP Andrew Turner, which you can sign in Chale Green Stores.
