Help shape the future of Island education by having your say on school place planning.

Islanders are being encouraged to join the conversation on school place planning on the Island.

In the Island’s first mainstream school place planning strategy published last month, the IW Council highlighted the huge challenge facing schools amid falling birth rates and declining pupil numbers.

The draft strategy sets out why the authority must tackle the high number of surplus places within schools to ensure they are adequately funded and children and young people receive the world-class education they deserve.

At the same time, the strategy outlines the positive opportunity to expand the provision of high-quality education for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).

The draft strategy was approved by Cabinet last month giving the green light for a detailed review to identify how the council propose to address surplus places and identify what this means for the future of schools.

Lots of Islanders have already taken this opportunity to have their say on the future of Island education but the council is keen to hear from as many people as possible, including town, parish and community councils.

Feedback should be emailed to strategic.planning@iow.gov.uk.

Cllr Jonathan Bacon, Cabinet member for children’s services, explained: “I can’t emphasise strongly enough how important it is for residents to join this Island-wide conversation which is going to help shape the future of education on the Isle of Wight.”

More information is available on the council’s ‘Island education plans and policies’ web pages.