LGA - Isle of Wight Education Report Addendum
- Contributed by
- On The Wight
p. 1
ADDENDUM - LGA report on the proposals of the Isle of Wight Council for
rationalising primary schools to raise achievement for all.
9 SEPTEMBER 2024
SCHOOL PLACE PLANNING
This additional paper supports an earlier report written in August/September 2024
and published in October 2024. It is an additional commentary on the further
proposals to consult on the re-organisation of primary schools on the Isle of Wight as
published by the Isle of Wight Council in September 2024.
Summary
The council’s proposals to consult on the possible closure of a small number (6) of
primary schools whilst enhancing the Island’s provision of SEND provision seems
both sensible, measured and based on the needs of the Island and the communities
it serves. It appears to be driven by pragmatism in that it is attempting to address
some chronic severe issues whilst making best use of limited public resources.
Whilst some have suggested it is possibly too limited in the number of school places
being consulted for removal and that are in scope at this stage, it is believed that this
number is probably appropriate in that it is based on the existing scope of the
Council’s powers to close only maintained schools and enables some further scope
for future reorganisation that is designed to minimise disruption. This last point
acknowledges the Council’s attempt to mitigate cost (establishing temporary
classrooms or incurring additional transport costs) and the disruption to existing
pupils and their families by not consulting on closing schools that have a significant
KS2 population at this point but instead waiting until such time as possibly much
lower numbers filter through.
Commentary
The proposals encapsulated in the report are based on an intelligent analysis and
balancing of the needs of the Island and its communities now and for the foreseeable
future. It is clear that much work has been done to ensure minimal negative impact
to any particular group, community or individual. At the same time the proposals
appear to be fair and free from ideological1 interests.
The proposals to develop SEND provision are commendable and to be welcomed as
they are clearly linked to the engagement that the council has had with families
coupled with its analysis of the unusually high numbers of children that are educated
otherwise than at school or whose parents have elected to educate them at home as
1 We noted a comment on the Isle of Wight County Press that there is a suggestion that there was some political
and vested interference on the choice of schools, we cannot comment on this due to our lack of evidence.
rationalising primary schools to raise achievement for all.
9 SEPTEMBER 2024
SCHOOL PLACE PLANNING
This additional paper supports an earlier report written in August/September 2024
and published in October 2024. It is an additional commentary on the further
proposals to consult on the re-organisation of primary schools on the Isle of Wight as
published by the Isle of Wight Council in September 2024.
Summary
The council’s proposals to consult on the possible closure of a small number (6) of
primary schools whilst enhancing the Island’s provision of SEND provision seems
both sensible, measured and based on the needs of the Island and the communities
it serves. It appears to be driven by pragmatism in that it is attempting to address
some chronic severe issues whilst making best use of limited public resources.
Whilst some have suggested it is possibly too limited in the number of school places
being consulted for removal and that are in scope at this stage, it is believed that this
number is probably appropriate in that it is based on the existing scope of the
Council’s powers to close only maintained schools and enables some further scope
for future reorganisation that is designed to minimise disruption. This last point
acknowledges the Council’s attempt to mitigate cost (establishing temporary
classrooms or incurring additional transport costs) and the disruption to existing
pupils and their families by not consulting on closing schools that have a significant
KS2 population at this point but instead waiting until such time as possibly much
lower numbers filter through.
Commentary
The proposals encapsulated in the report are based on an intelligent analysis and
balancing of the needs of the Island and its communities now and for the foreseeable
future. It is clear that much work has been done to ensure minimal negative impact
to any particular group, community or individual. At the same time the proposals
appear to be fair and free from ideological1 interests.
The proposals to develop SEND provision are commendable and to be welcomed as
they are clearly linked to the engagement that the council has had with families
coupled with its analysis of the unusually high numbers of children that are educated
otherwise than at school or whose parents have elected to educate them at home as
1 We noted a comment on the Isle of Wight County Press that there is a suggestion that there was some political
and vested interference on the choice of schools, we cannot comment on this due to our lack of evidence.