School place planning consultation

Consultation on proposed primary school closures

Residents on the Isle of Wight had another opportunity to have their say on proposed primary school closures.

Following Cabinet approval last month, Public Notices were published (Friday 3 January 2025) for Arreton St George's CE, Brading CE, Cowes, Oakfield CE and Wroxall primary schools.

If approved, these closures would come into effect from 31 August 2025. 

Additionally, a Public Notice has also been published proposing a 12-place primary resourced provision for children with Autism Spectrum Condition at The Bay CE Primary School.

Following the publication of the notices, was a statutory four-week consultation on the proposals with residents encouraged to share their views through the council's website, via email, or by post.

Background

The proposed closures are a response to a significant decline in birth rates both locally and nationally over the past five years.

Currently, the Island has 10,724 primary school places available, but the number of children needing these places is projected to fall significantly by 2027.

The overall number of primary pupils is expected to decrease from 9,300 in 2017, to 7,640 in three years' time.

By addressing surplus places, and realigning primary school provision to the number of children on the Island, the council aims to begin to improve the quality of education on the Island so as to support the futures of children and young people and the future of the Island as a whole.

How to participate in the consultation

The consultation will ran until Monday 3 February 2025.

The Cabinet is expected to make a final decision on the proposals at their meeting on Thursday 6 March 2025.