By Press Release
The headteachers of the three schools named in an Isle of Wight Council report for consultation over closure are members of a group that is urging the council to close small Island primary schools to address the ‘significant over-provision” of school places.
Maggie Sanderson from St Mary’s, Lynne Torrance from Wroxall and Stephanie Praetig from Cowes primary schools were all signatories to a letter sent to the Isle of Wight Council in September last year, describing small primary schools as “a weight that drags other schools down due to the excessive funding needed to sustain” them.
The Isle of Wight Observer asked all three headteachers whether they agreed with the closure of their own schools, but none of them answered the question.
In September last year, there were 17 headteachers in the IW Headteacher Executive Group (IWHEG). We asked if the membership of the group had changed but received no reply.
The group appears to accept there is a demand for small schools from Island families, but said: “We would be showing strength in not pacifying the perceived desire for very small schools in the immediate but looking into the future and what we want our legacy to be for our children.”
Parents who campaigned to keep their local schools open and were relieved when the proposals were withdrawn might be disappointed to hear that the group wrote to the IW Council again on June 7, expressing their “utter dismay and disappointment in the Cabinet’s decision to withdraw
the report.” They also say “No headteacher willingly would choose for the school that they lead to close but each of us understand that the closure of some schools is necessary for the benefit of all the children on the Isle of Wight.”
This week a statement was issued saying neither the IWHEG or the three headteachers “have anything else to add at this time”.
Primary school members of the Headteacher’s Executive Group in September 2022
Maggie Sanderson – St Mary’s and St Thomas of Canterbury, Lizzie Grainger – Shalfleet and Yarmouth, Caroline Sice – Lanes End, Jane Wilford – Wootton, Rebecca Day – Gatten & Lake, Sharon Freeley – Broadlea and Holy Cross
Sarah Hussey – Northwood, Mark Snow, Barton Primary School, Chillerton & Rookley and Godshill, Lynne Torrance – Wroxall, Kirsty Howarth -Newchurch and Nettlestone, Stephanie Praetig – Cowes, Lisa Steedman – Hunnyhill, Rebecca Chessell, Binstead and Arreton St George’s, Melanie Gartell – Summerfields, Beth Dyer – Nine Acres, Anita Wilcox – Dover Park, Lizzie Chambers – Bembridge, Vikki Reader – Oakfield.