Six members of the Isle of Wight council’s Cabinet voted tonight (Thursday) to go ahead with the just two of the proposed primary school closures to tackle surplus places and declining birth rates.
Councillor Jonathan Bacon, the cabinet member for Children’s Services, Education and Corporate Functions, was absent from the meeting, meaning that officers had to answer public questions on the matter at the beginning of the meeting.
The usual 15 minutes for public questions was extended to a full hour to allow school staff and parents to put their questions to the Cabinet.
Andre: Headteachers have been calling for action
Councillor Debbie Andre presented the paper in Councillor Bacon’s absence. She explained there are more than 2,000 surplus places across the 38 mainstream primary schools.
Councillor Andre confirmed that letters had been received by many headteachers asking for action to be taken to address the surplus places and she gave more detail about the schools’ deficits and impact on not only the council’s budgets, but also on children’s education.
Cabinet member gives up vote
Councillor Paul Fuller, who is a Cabinet member, declared an interest and asked to speak as a ward member for Cowes.
He was advised by the monitoring officer that he would be able to speak to the cabinet on behalf of his constituency, but would have to leave the chamber afterwards to avoid any suggestion of interference with the voting. Councillor Fuller gave a heartfelt speech about Cowes Primary, which he reminded members was rated by Ofsted as a ‘Good’ school.
The votes
The recommendation for each school closure was voted on separately.
Cowes Primary and Arreton CofE Primary both received sufficient number of votes and will close at the end of August.
Wroxall Primary did not receive the number of votes required, so the recommendation fell.
Brading CofE Primary did not receive the number of votes required, so the recommendation fell.
Oakfield CofE Primary did not receive the number of votes required, so the recommendation fell.
Williams: We are taking legal advice
Following the meeting, Jeff Williams, director of education for the Church of England’s Diocese of Portsmouth told OnTheWight,
“The decision by the Isle of Wight Council’s Cabinet (tonight/last night) demonstrated that councillors have listened to our repeated concerns, as well as concerns expressed by the Isle of Wight Council’s Scrutiny Committee, and the indicative vote of the whole Isle of Wight Council.
“We are therefore pleased that the proposed closure of Oakfield and Brading CofE Primary Schools, and Wroxall Primary School have been rejected by the Cabinet. We remain concerned regarding the process that led to the decision to close Arreton St George’s CofE Primary School and Cowes Primary School. We are therefore taking legal advice and will continue to consider all options as advised.”
Robertson: I pay tribute to parents, staff and residents for making such a strong case for their schools
Joe Robertson, the Conservative MP for Isle of Wight East, told OnTheWight,
“I am glad that each of the three primary schools in the East Wight have been saved from closure. I have publicly supported three hard fought local campaigns in Brading, Oakfield and Wroxall and pay tribute to the parents, staff and residents for making such a strong case for their schools. In particular, I thank councillors Rodney Downer and Michael Lilley and community campaigners like Nick Binfield, Kate Benson, David Groocock and Aviv Goode for engaging me with their community groups.
“Isle of Wight East is the second most left behind constituency in the country and closing these three primary schools will not help. I have written to the Government to ask them to support us.
“We now have the data to show that the Government needs to start delivering on their ‘five missions’ here in the East Wight.”
Article edit
8.58pm 20th Mar 2025 – JW and JR comments added
