Parents battle to stop island school closures

Parents affected by the proposed closures of six primary schools on the Isle of Wight have formed "save our school" groups.

A consultation has opened on closing Oakfield in Ryde, Brading, Cowes, Godshill, Wroxhall and Arreton primaries.

Groups of parents have stuck up posters in shop windows in the villages and towns affected, with many arguing losing the schools will "rip the heart out" of their local areas.

Isle of Wight Council said some school closures were necessary to improve education standards and make schools financially sustainable.

Parents from Cowes Primary and Brading protested outside County Hall in Newport when the consultation was confirmed.

Melanie Thornton, who has a son in year one, argued that Cowes Primary should not be on the list.

She said "It's rated good by Ofsted, two others in Cowes are not even being considered because they are academies which are exempt from this process, despite poorer outcomes for the children. That's total madness."

Nick Binfield had rallied parents in Brading to bring down homemade placards. He said the nearest school was not walkable but children would still not qualify for free public transport.

He said: "For those without cars, which is many parents, getting their child to school will become a two hour daily experience and could cost families £12-£14 a week."

Away from the meeting, parents were meeting in pubs, cafes and front rooms to work out plans to save their schools from closure.

In Godshill, some parents have been through this before.

When Chillerton and Rookley Primary School closed in 2013, children were moved to Godshill.

Jen Burborough's children were affected by that. "They're now facing a second move. It's very disruptive," she said.

Parents have also raised concerns about more buses, taxis and cars on the roads during school runs, affecting an already popular and busy tourist village.

The primary school at Wroxall had a £2m makeover recently.

"Closing this school will rip the heart out of the village," said parent Wayne Sheath.

"The shop, restaurant, village hall all need people - without a school this village will disappear as no young families will chose to move here."

Jen Hughes is campaigning with parents at Oakfield school in Ryde.

She's particularly concerned about the high numbers of children receiving the pupil premium grant, as well as SEND (special educational needs) pupils.

"Oakfield does well at dealing with mental health needs of children, moving them will have a huge impact," she said.

For others, the faith connections of their schools are important.

Children from Arreton St Georges use the church on the same site for regular events.

"That's an important part of my choice of school," said parent Amy Westerhorn.

Under these plans the nearest alternative - Godshill - would also be closed.

"That's a lengthy commute to school, it's crazy to suggest closing two church schools so close together," Ms Westerhorn said.

The Diocese of Portsmouth, which covers the Isle of Wight, has said it would play a "robust and constructive" part in the consultation and expected people to be offered an alternative Church of England school accessible to families.

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

The falling birth rate means the number of surplus places could reach 3,000 by September 2027.

Council cabinet member for education Jonathan Bacon said "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 of working to address standards."

He said the six schools chosen for closure were decided following an "incredibly detailed process" but it was disappointing academies could not be included.