Protest held over planned school closures

Six primary schools have been earmarked for closure on the Isle of Wight

Parents and pupils have staged a protest against plans to close six primary schools on the Isle of Wight.

The island's council announced earlier this month it was considering a recommendation to close Cowes, Arreton, Oakfield, Brading, Wroxall and Godshill primary schools.

It said the closures were an attempt to improve the island's "extremely poor" results in comparison to other areas.

Protesters gathered at the council offices in Newport ahead of a council cabinet meeting on Thursday, saying they were "deeply concerned" about the plans.

Protesters gathered at County Hall in Newport ahead of a cabinet meeting

The group waved signs reading "Save education in Cowes and Gurnard" and "Why are you closing my GOOD school?".

Among the protesters, Nick Binfield insisted one of the schools, Brading Primary School, was "financially sustainable".

"Brading is a vulnerable community. Parents can't be expected to pay a huge sum of money to take the bus to Sandown. Many don't drive. They could end up spending a couple of hours a day on buses."

Melanie, whose son is a Year One pupil at Cowes Primary, said: "We worry our children will be sent to another primary which is already full.

"It will mean children in full classes, facilities not designed for this many children, inadequate afterschool clubs - we're deeply concerned for them."

Councillor Jonathan Bacon said the island's educational standards needed to improve

Education standards on the island have long been among the lowest in the country.

Cabinet member for education Jonathan Bacon said that, with school funding allocated per pupil, people needed to look at the "bigger picture" that there were surplus school places on the island.

It is estimated the number of surplus places could reach 3,000 by September 2027.

"The problem with surplus places in our schools is leading to our inability to address educational standards on the island.

"Too few pupils spread across too many schools means all the schools end up being underfunded and governors and head teachers concentrate on day-to-day financial survival instead working to address standards," he added.

He said the six schools chosen for closure were decided following an "incredibly detailed process".

Three of them are Church of England schools.

On Wednesday, the Diocese of Portsmouth said it would play a "robust and constructive" part in the consultation.

"The diocese’s view is that if the closure of any CofE school is proposed, pupils should be offered places at an alternative CofE school that is easily accessible to families," it said in a statement.

Under the plans, buildings could be repurposed to expand SEND provision on the island, where demand is increasing.

If approved, the closures would not happen before September 2025.

The council approved plans to begin the public consultation on 20 September.