Some Island primary schools earmarked for closure could be 'repurposed' for 'desperately needed' SEND provision if they are to shut, under the Isle of Wight Council's new education plan.

The council hopes five of the six sites can remain in educational use and benefit from council investment.

At Arreton Primary, which is one of the 'at risk' schools, the council wants to create a new dedicated facility for young people who have high anxiety and/or mental health needs.

Meanwhile, the authority plans on turning Oakfield Primary, Ryde, into a satellite site for the Island’s primary special school, Medina House.

Arreton Primary SchoolArreton Primary School (Image: Google Maps)

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If Oakfield is closed, a specialist facility supporting primary aged children with Social, Emotional, and Mental Health (SEMH) could be created.

Over the next 18 months, the council wants to provide more than 200 SEND places.

  • Before any final decisions are made and a consultation process launches, plans must first go to the council's Cabinet.

The council is also proposing to create a community resource for post 16 educational use and higher education.

It also plans to expand specialist education provision for children with medical needs and create a child development centre/teacher training and development centre.

Plans would also see the creation of a 12-place primary SEND provision at The Bay School.

In a first for the West Wight, there could also be a new 12-place provision for children with speech, communication language needs (SCLN) and/or Autism Spectrum Condition (ASC) at Brighstone Primary.

Most recently, the former IW Studio School building in East Cowes has been repurposed as a satellite for St George's School and specialist provision has been expanded at Greenmount Primary, Ryde.