By Isle of Wight Observer
A consultation to look at surplus primary school places in West Wight has been launched today by the Isle of Wight Council.
The Department for Education has asked the council to manage its approach to oversupply in the area – a trend which is expected to continue in the coming years.
The council has published a report setting out a preferred option at this stage, which is to close All Saints CE Primary School. The school has capacity for 210 pupils but currently has only 81.
Following any potential closure, council favours expanding St Saviour’s Catholic Primary School for the start of the 2019/20 academic year.
“I have carefully considered the report on empty places in West Wight primary schools and the quality of education currently being provided, and I have agreed that a consultation should take place,” said councillor Paul Brading, Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, Education and Skills.
“However, I want to listen carefully to parents’ views and those living in the wider community before deciding next steps as I understand they are concerned about these proposals.
“I also want to make it clear the council has not made any decisions at this stage. I will consider any viable alternate options put forward during the consultation period before I make a final decision.”
All Saints was judged to require improvement by education watchdog Ofsted following separate inspections in 2013, 2015 and 2017. During the latest monitoring visit in July last year, inspectors said the school was ‘not taking effective action to improve’.
The other primary schools in West Wight – Shalfleet, St Saviour’s and Yarmouth, have all been judged good by Ofsted, while Brighstone is on track to gain a ‘good’ judgement at the next inspection.
You can access the survey at the following link: https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/WestWightSchools2019
The survey is now open and closes at midday on 12 April 2019.
