By Press Release
Proposals to consider the closure of four Island primary schools have been cancelled after a public outcry.
Last week the Isle of Wight Council announced that, due to more than 200 excess primary school places and a predicted fall in the birth rate, the closures must be considered. Cabinet member, Debbie Andre, responsible for education, said that she was prepared to make “one of the most difficult decisions we can make” if there was no other choice. The press release claimed the IW Council had “listened to headteachers and school governors.”
The primary schools targeted were Cowes, St Mary’s Roman Catholic and Wroxall. The council was also looking to close Chillerton & Rookley, by amalgamating it with Godshill. The IW Council’s cabinet was due to consider a paper outlining the plans this Thursday.
Yesterday afternoon, less than a week after the announcement, it became apparent that the council would have done better to have a word with parents before announcing its plans, as they were very quickly forced into a U-turn.
Cllr Andre issued a statement saying: “We have listened closely to all comments and representations and feel a different approach is necessary in view of the strength of feeling in our local communities.” She would not be drawn on any further details saying that a further statement would be issued in due course. There was significant opposition to the plans from a number of her colleagues in the Alliance Group and some in other parties.
The original press release spoke about the difficulty in recruiting high-quality, qualified teachers and the council’s legal duty “to ensure schools provide high-quality places for the children.” It did not mention that the Island’s education results remain among the worst of any county on many measures. It also failed to make any reference to the damage that any closures would cause to the education of the children affected.
The most vocal early campaigners were those of St Mary’s Catholic School in Ryde, who had already collected more than 1,000 signatures on an on-line petition against the closure and set up a campaign group.
This is the third time that the IW Council has proposed closing Chillerton & Rookley Primary School. Parent, Keith Herbert, who has campaigned against its closure from the start said: “If the Hampshire officers put as much effort into supporting Island schools as they do trying to close them, we’d have outstanding schools.
“Three failed closure attempts of a rural primary school must be embarrassing.”
It is clear that parent power is alive and kicking on the Isle of Wight!