Image (above & Below): Wroxall Primary School - South Wight Rural area.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hello, thank you for taking the time to read and support this important petition.

I am a parent of two wonderful children who attend Wroxall primary school on the Isle of Wight. They love their school, have friends, and are thriving academically. The future of their education is now in jeopardy due to proposed school closures planned by the Strategic Planning Proposal department of the Isle of Wight council. 

These closures not only threaten the education of my children and others on the island, but also have significant implications: financial impacts, transport and safety concerns, and heritage factors linked to school sites. The decisions seem to be fast-tracked, with genuine consultations dismissed by a small number of cabinet members, and data that doesn't seem accurate.
The proposed closures will cause undue hardship, my eldest is due to start high school in 2027 and the local schools are already at capacity. Finding a secure alternative education placement could be a challenge while juggling being the single driver in the family. My younger child's future is also uncertain if their primary school shuts down. There are countless parents who share this impending predicament.

We, the community of the Isle of Wight, care deeply for our children’s education and the legacy of our schools. The plans to close them without comprehensive consultation or providing accurate data are unacceptable. It is a case of equality and fairness; these are principles we wish to instill in our children and expect from our government. We also call for a thorough exploration of the potential adverse effects these school closures may have on children’s mental health, which is a grave concern amid these uncertain times.

We urge the central government to scrutinize the procedures, legalities, and protocols behind these decisions and to ensure the residents of the Isle of Wight aren't dismissed and their concerns are taken into account. We won't stand by silently as the future of our children is compromised. Please help us in pressing for a more transparent, considerate, and just process. Sign our petition to voice your support, and let's stand together for our children and their education.

The affected schools proposed for closure across the Isle of Wight:

1. Wroxall Primary School
2. Arreton St George’s CE Primary School
3. Braiding CE Primary School
4. Cowes Primary School
5. Oakfield CE Primary School

We are on our FINAL consultation period Jan 3rd 2025 - Feb 3rd 2025, A report from this consultation will then be made by Isle of Wight Council in March 2025. 
This will form the decision on whether or not to proceed/ amend the proposed closure enforcements as of 31st August 2025.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

There was originally 6 Primary Schools marked for closure proposals up until 12th December 2024 when the cabinet committee took an unexpected unanimous vote and made a last minute U-turn decision to save one, Godshill Primary School, This school is only located a short distance of 2.9 miles away from Wroxall Primary School which is also suffering this proposal.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Image: Godshill Primary School (Above)

As of the new 2nd consultation period which is currently in place 03/01/2025 - 03/02/2025 all schools on the proposal list  that had received a PROVISIONAL decision as of December 2024 Now have the opportunity to have decision changes and amendments made to the final outcome decision of each school site, meaning the decisions granted in December are not yet final and are subject to possible changes.

We do not yet understand or have evidence from the council of why Godshill has been removed completely from the proposal plans as the decision was not final. We have asked for further information and evidence around this as we believe it is an unfair strategy against the other schools on the same fight.

 We have little time, But together we can pave the way for a reasonable and fair outcome to better support the schools, their students & all communities in question and propose better alternative solutions for the future strategies of the school sites. Without jeopardising our current childrens mental health and education and provide security and safeguarding for future generations. The current cabinet committee which comprises 8 members is scheduled to be abolished in May 2025! But this process and detrimental impact on our schools feels like it is being railroaded through without the necessary infrastructure and accuracy of resources. This is not a procedure that should be rushed or dismissed.

Right now each affected school is suffering furthermore due to the pressure and uncertainty being put onto parents, Children are sadly leaving the proposed schools whilst the sites are still only under a PROVISIONAL decision. This means it jeopardises our plea to save our school sites as whilst the council is raining down panic and stress, Children are being pressured into leaving the school in which they love and their friendships are being broken apart. And for those of us who refuse to take our children out of their school that they are happy in we are having to fight harder. We understand completely everyone has their own commitments to consider around the school proposal but there is next to no availability of placements in other schools including the alternative ones proposed. So it doesn’t matter whether our children leave now or August (if closure is decided) our children have no where to go, and the councils mission to reduce SURPLUS places will have failed as parents will have no choice but to home educate if they can’t find a suitable alternative school this is not an available option to all families due to work/health commitments. This is really important.

Thank you for all of your continuous support with your signatures, voting & Submitting your response(s) to the Isle of Wight School Place Planning Consultation.