Less than two years after opening its doors, the Isle of Wight Studio School’s sister school in Southampton, the Inspire Enterprise Academy, will be closing its doors due to a lack of numbers.
Richard White, Head teacher at Isle of Wight Studio School told OnTheWight this afternoon,
“We are deeply sad to confirm that our sister school, Inspire Enterprise Academy Southampton, is closing at the end of this academic year on 22nd July.
“Like every other state school in the country, funding is based on the number of pupils and the school simply did not have enough students and applications to keep running.”
Head: “Our future looks very healthy”
He went on to say,
“I would like to reassure parents that this is certainly not the case for Isle of Wight Studio School and our future looks very healthy.
“Our current Year 10 is full with 75 pupils, all of which are expected to move up to Year 11 in September. Applications to join Year 10 for the next academic year are at over 50, with only a few places remaining.
“The reason we have such good pupil numbers and applications is down to the Island embracing our new school. Both parents and employers have been very supportive and their belief in this different type of school has been confirmed as they have seen the many great successes of our pupils.”
Southampton pupils offered places at Studio School
Mr White finished by saying,
“Young people at Inspire Enterprise Academy Southampton are being offered the opportunity to continue their studies with us here at Isle of Wight Studio School, with their travel costs funded.
“With the two schools having come together for many projects and trips over the last year, the pupils know one another and this will make for a smooth transition.
“We have the staffing in place to accommodate all of the Inspire Enterprise Academy pupils who wish to join us in September and we will welcome them with open arms.
“This small increase in numbers will have no detrimental effect on the Isle of Wight Studio School.”
