CABINET members of the Isle of Wight Council will tonight decide whether to hold a public consultation on the future of Chillerton and Rookley Primary School.

Pupil numbers at the school have fallen steadily over the past few years, and currently stand at 22 when its capacity is 91.

As schools are funded on a 'per pupil' basis, surplus places are resulting in a significant funding challenge for the school, which is forecasting a budget deficit of £118,057 in 2022/23.

An informal consultation on the amalgamation of the school with Godshill Primary was launched earlier this year at the request of the Stenbury Foundation, which governs both schools.

A new report published last week includes many of the suggestions made during that process.

All will undergo a full, six-week public consultation if approved by cabinet tonight (Thursday).

The options include:

• Leave both schools open and federated, meaning the status quo remains.

• Amalgamate Chillerton and Rookley Primary School with Godshill Primary School with the closure of Chillerton and Rookley Primary School.

• Amalgamate Chillerton and Rookley Primary School with Godshill Primary School with the closure of Godshill Primary School.

• Seek an academy/free school sponsor for Chillerton and Rookley Primary School and, if successful, defederate the school from the Stenbury Federation.

• Defederate Chillerton and Rookley from the Stenbury Federation and re-form it as a stand-alone primary school.

• Seek another local maintained school to federate with Chillerton and Rookley Primary School.

• Set up provision for flexi-schooling on the Chillerton and Rookley site to sit alongside full-time provision.

The council says it would also welcome any other suggestions from stakeholders during the proposed consultation.

Subject to approval, a further report would be presented to cabinet next spring, setting out the outcomes of the consultation, including recommendations.