By Isle of Wight Observer
I am writing this prior to Thursday night, when I hope The cabinet will vote to proceed with a consultation aimed at dealing with surplus school places across the Island.
As part of that process, schools have to be identified for closure. A detailed process of analysis and, inevitably, comparison, has been undertaken to create the list. All schools were considered. It is unfortunate that, as some schools have academy status, the Local Authority has no power over them so they can effectively exclude themselves from the process. Otherwise, it is likely the list would be different. However, what we are left with is the optimum list taking account of the considerations and restraints upon us, to achieve the aims we necessarily have.
The list also seeks to balance the aim of reducing surplus places against avoiding undue adverse effects on parents and pupils. But for this, the list would probably be longer.
Although many will instinctively, and wholly understandably, be looking at their own schools and personal situations, I would ask that people take a moment to think of the bigger picture here that is driving this process.
The reason we have too many primary school places is due, very simply, to the national declining birth rate. Schools are funded on a per-pupil basis. If the classroom is half empty you are only half funded. However, you still have to pay for the essentials, which cannot simply be halved, such as the building, heating and, most importantly, staff. Schools end up concentrating on financial survival rather than educational standards.
But the need to improve standards is paramount – we have the worst educational standards in the country.
Improving the resourcing of schools is fundamental to improving standards and, as the funding model is not going change, the only way we can do this is through closures.
The cabinet has to look at the situation across the whole Island and take steps to address that. Put simply, if we do not reduce our primary school places we will never be able to improve educational standards.
School is about preparing our young people for life, work, careers and their futures. Failing children at school is unacceptable, both for them and for the Island as a whole. That is what is happening at the moment and that is what we must change.