We attended the public consultation meeting in a very packed assembly hall last Monday at Ventnor Middle School.
As some people were turned away due to limitations on capacity, we thought it would be useful to broadcast the presentations from the evening. We’ve broken them down in three parts. The first features Alan Wells who you may’ve heard on the IW Radio phone-in several times over the last few weeks.
He was introduced by facilitator, Danny Neil. Councillor Wells started his presentation by pointing out that there had been no reorganisation of the schools structure since 1970, and the council felt that it was time to look at it again.
“We need a system of education that is fit for the 21st century.”
He went on to explain that IOW schools are not achieving the success that they should be, although he recognised that the primary and middle sector are doing reasonably well.
Recently, Schools Minister, Lord Adonis had stated that IOW is not achieving success standards with KS4 well below expectations.
He was keen to point out that the system has to last for 25-30 years.
We’ve got to get it as right as we’re able to do – that’s why we’re taking it so seriously.
He explained that the tories had inherited a system that has too much provision, alongside national falling birth rate and demographic changes there are too many places in the primary sector schools.
In order to give more choice over changes to the schools system, he and Council leader, David Pugh had asked Children’s Services Director, Steve Beynon to provide options that would be educationally sound and financially viable. He came back with the three options we see today.
Councillor Wells explained that the options had to fill certain criteria; they had to have value for money; be fairer in the way they fund schools across the Island; and distribute schools geographically with a good mix of urban and rural schools.
So Why Now?
He see this as an opportunity to change the pace of education.
“It affects everyone and it might be painful but needs to be taken forward.”
The council’s goal is for Island children to be in the top 10% nationally and they need to look at the economic regeneration of the Island and young people have a major part to play in that.
Councillor Wells believes that there are exciting proposals, he went on to talk about the four new schools to be built, starting with the school plans in progress for Cowes.
Under the proposals, there are other news schools planned for East Cowes, the ‘Godshill area’ and West Newport.
He finished by urging parents, teachers and stakeholders consider the future implications for the future of education on the Wight.
Listen to the presentation by clicking on the play button below:
[audio:http://otw-audio.s3.amazonaws.com/alan-wells-ventnor-middle-final.mp3]
Presentations by Steve Beynon and David Pugh will follow. [image courtesy of IOW Council]
