Under the proposals for changes to the schools system, all primary schools in Ventnor will close and merge on the site of Ventnor Middle School in Upper Ventnor.
It has been proposed that this new school become entirely voluntary aided (as St Wilfred’s currently is) rather than voluntary controlled (as St Margaret’s and St Boniface are).
As highlighted on the Standards Not Tiers Standards Not Tiers Website, “With a Voluntary Aided School, the governing body is appointed by the Church not the local authority. The Church appointees make up the majority of the governors and they not the local authority employ the staff and set the admissions criteria. The Bishops determine the religious education curriculum for the school.”
The Ventnor Town Council have only recently been made aware of these proposals and as the end of the first round of formal consultations closes on Friday 10th October, a special meeting has been arranged to hear a presentation by Keith Simmonds, who holds the post of Head of Policy, Planning and Commissioning regarding schools in the Ventnor area.
It is expected that many parents will take the opportunity to attend the meeting, not only to hear Mr Simmonds’ presentation, but also to hear how the councillors feel about the proposed changes.
Therefore the meeting will take place in the Main Hall at the Winter Gardens instead of the Lower Meeting Room. The meeting starts at 6.30.
You have until 5pm on Friday 10th October to send your comments on the proposals to
Alex Moffatt
Schools Project Manager
County Hall
Newport
Isle of Wight PO30 1UD
Alternatively you can email him on moving.forward(at)iow.gov.uk
