The Met Office forecast for Newport on Saturday (25th Jan) is for sunny weather, which is great news for all those planning to attend the rally against school closures.
The rally is planned for 11.30am to 12.30pm in St. Thomas’ Square, Newport.
School closures
On 10th December 2024, the Isle of Wight council cabinet provisionally voted to close five primary schools on the Island: Cowes; Arreton St George’s CofE; Brading CofE; Wroxall and Oakfield CofE. One of those originally earmarked for closure, Godshill Primary, was removed from the list.
The council say the decision to close schools is driven by a severe decline in pupil numbers, and aims to start to address more than 2,300 unfilled primary school places across the Island due to a falling birth rate. They add that large surpluses of school places are causing significant financial problems, as schools are funded per pupil, but many of their costs are fixed.
Opposition to the closures
Staff, parents, pupils and supporters at the affected schools are planning to gather in Newport on Saturday to show their strength of feeling against the closures.
Mark Chiverton, UNISON Branch Secretary, said,
“Over 200 teaching and support staff jobs are at risk and there is a genuine danger of losing the skill, commitment and experience of a huge number people who have given a lifetime of dedicated service to IW Primary Schools.”
Previous school reorganisation
Almost 17 years ago, plans for a large-scale shake up of schools on the Island, changing from three tiers to two tiers, made the national news. There were several large rallies through the streets of Newport, with several thousand people attending, including some of those on the council today.
In fact, in March 2008, the Island featured on the front page of The Independent’s Education and Careers Section, carrying a feature about the potential closure of many schools, including Arreton Primary.
Arreton, a Church of England School, managed to survive those plans being proposed by the former David Pugh and the Conservative-led council, with former education director and latterly CEO, Steve Beynon. However, almost two decades later Arreton is back on the list for closure.
The Chair of Governors at the time, Sarah Bishop, told The Independent that an outcome from the process of opposition to the closure had, in fact, brought the community closer together and forced the school look at its strengths.
With the threat of closure looming over the school once again, tomorrow’s rally is expected to be well attended.
Shreeve: As potential closures draw near, so does the reality and unintended consequences become clearer
Peter Shreeve, Assistant District Secretary of the National Education Union, added,
“Many pupils have already lost their class friends, as they move elsewhere. One member tells of the weekly occurrence of classroom tears as classmates pre-empt any potential school closure and leave their school.
“Closures are supposed to save money and raise standards. A clear contradiction! How will this raise standards?
“As potential closures draw near, so does the reality and unintended consequences become clearer. Those involved are hoping to share the impact of closures with those willing to listen, as the impact will NOT be without consequences.”
Those wishing to take part in the rally should head for St. Thomas’ Square, Newport between 11.30am to 12.30pm.
