The Bishop of Portsmouth, Rt Rev Jonathan Frost, has expressed deep concerns about Isle of Wight Council’s proposal to close six schools, including three Church of England schools—Oakfield CofE Primary, Brading CofE Primary, and Arreton St George’s CofE Primary. He has pledged to challenge the closures and called for a more transparent and inclusive process.

Bishop Jonathan highlighted flaws in the consultation process, including a lack of clear criteria for selecting schools to close. He accepted the council was acting with the right motives, but said: “Closing these schools could devastate families and communities. Those most affected would be the poorest families, unable to afford transportation to alternative schools,”. He also emphasised the unique role of Church of England schools in serving their local communities, providing a distinctive ethos, and acting as vital communal hubs.

“Headteachers and chairs of governors across the Island knew the financial challenges posed by the number of surplus places and were willing to collaborate on reducing places at a range of schools, he said. “Unfortunately, that didn’t happen. Instead six specific schools were named, but there was a lack of clarity about why those six had been chosen.”

The Bishop believes the closure proposals, based partly on academic performance, contradict government guidance, which advises addressing standards through alternative means. The Bishop is urging councillors to reject the plans at the IW Council’s Cabinet meeting next Thursday, and consider a collaborative approach to reduce surplus places fairly.

Jeff Williams, the diocese’s director of education, also criticised the lack of transparency in decision-making and warned of the closures’ severe social consequences, especially for vulnerable families.

If the council proceeds with closures, the Diocese of Portsmouth is “likely to escalate the matter to the Office of the Schools Adjudicator, Bishop Jonathan said.

For more details on why the diocese believes the three church schools should remain open visit www.portsmouth.anglican.org/IWschools.