Isle of Wight pupil offers council piggy bank to save her school

Scarlett Maddison-Wigg, who studies at the threatened Arreton St George’s Primary School, wants the council to let her keep her “wonderful school, amazing teachers, and her lovely friends”.

Her proud mother, Sharon, says she has flourished since making the switch to Arreton in Year 2.

At her previous, larger school, the nine-year-old was bullied, suffered from panic attacks and anxiety, and fell behind academically.

But in Arreton St George’s care, Sharon says Scarlett is the happy, confident, curious girl she was before.

Parents voiced outrage and concern following the council’s announcement that the school is among six earmarked for closure.

The council cited declining pupil numbers as the driving factor behind the proposed closures.

Read more:

• Isle of Wight Council did not include academy schools in closures plan
• Isle of Wight parents rally against potential school closure

"As her mother, I cannot thank Arreton St George's enough for everything they have done for Scarlett,” said Sharon.

“Not only academically, but in terms of how they have rebuilt her confidence and given her such a love of learning.

Scarlett Maddison-Wigg. (Image: Contributed.) “However high in life she flies, so much of it will be due to this amazing little school."

On joining Arreton, the school entered one of her stories into the Sight for Wight writing competition, where at age seven she came in second place in the Under 12s group.

The very next year she achieved first place.

Scarlett even had the confidence to be a Shanklin Carnival Queen last year, perform in Andrew Lloyd Webber's The Likes of Us with Cowes Trinity Theatre, and was awarded her troop's Cub of The Year award earlier this year.

“She is a talented little artist who loves animals,” said Sharon.

“She loves being out in the countryside walking her dog Chip and going horse riding at Kitbridge Hollow on the weekend.

Scarlett Maddison-Wigg performing on stage. (Image: Contributed.)

“She has recently started playing the tenor horn with Shanklin Brass Band and does Karate at Arreton where she has taken her first grading.

“If her school is moved, she will not be able to continue with many of these hobbies.”

Scarlett said: "I love my school.

“My friends are scared and so am I, because we don't want Arreton to close.

“I don't want to lose my friends or my lovely teachers.

“Please take my piggy bank if you need more money, but don't close my wonderful school."