Isle of Wight Council urged to rethink school closure plans

The IW Council’s proposal, announced last week, has sparked protests from parents, as six primary schools – Godshill, Arreton, Oakfield, Brading, Wroxall and Cowes – face the possibility of closure in 2025.

In an open letter to the council’s cabinet, Diane Barker, chair of Governors at Godshill Primary School, expressed deep concerns about the potential loss of all primary education provision in the rural heart of the Island.

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Godshill Primary School received a 'Good' Ofsted rating in January (Image: Godshill Primary School)

She highlighted the impact the closure could have on more than 400 children, should Godshill, Arreton and Wroxall be included in the closures.

Ms Barker underscored that Godshill and the now-closed Chillerton and Rookley Primary School have already worked with the council to reduce surplus places.

Earlier this year, the two schools merged into one site.

“Merging two schools in the rural centre of the Island onto one site has ensured deficits accrued over time were reversed,” Ms Barker explained in her letter.

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Chillerton and Rookley Primary School closed on December 31 due to funding challenges after falling pupil numbers led to tighter budgets.

Ms Barker pointed out in the open letter that pupil roll is steadily increasing, with 177 children enrolled, including preschool provision.

She also stressed that families who transferred their children from Chillerton and Rookley to Godshill in January were given assurances by the council that their children would not face further educational disruption.

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“We feel strongly that at least one school should serve our rural communities,” Ms Barker wrote, adding that in a bid to avoid closure, Godshill has begun exploring alternative proposals. 

These include potentially establishing a "rural hub" that could accommodate pupils from Arreton, Godshill, and Wroxall, keeping educational provision within the local area.

Ms Barker wrote: "Amending this proposal to safeguard the possibility of one GOOD rural community school would enable small school cohorts to merge as one viable cohort, incur less disruption for over 400 children, and minimise the cost of transporting those children to schools much further away.”

The council’s proposals have generated considerable public outcry, with protests staged outside affected schools and council councillors and officers facing tough questioning from parents at County Hall on Tuesday (September 10).