An independent panel, commissioned by Isle of Wight Council to review the LA’s proposals for the future of five Island primary schools, has provided its report to the Council.

This report, which makes clear recommendations for the reviewed schools, will now be presented to the IW Council’s Cabinet on 31st March, at which a decision on the future of the schools will be made. The report also acknowledges that the principle of a change to a two tier system seems to have received wide support and been accepted by most as the best way forward.

The Panel was chaired by Shirley Goodwin and was supported by Alan Parker. Representing the Diocese was Ruth Eade for the East Wight proposals, and Richard Lindley for the West Wight proposals. All four members are independent of IW Council and have extensive experience of the public education system with particular reference to school reorganisation.

The Panel was tasked with reviewing the council’s proposed options for Yarmouth and Shalfleet (West Wight area), and St Helens, Nettlestone, and Brading (East Wight area), and consulting locally. During the formal consultation period, viable alternative options were received for these locations, along with a significant response and concern expressed from local communities.

As part of the reforms, the Council has set a minimum size of 1FE (one form entry) for the future 4-11 age range primary schools. The Panel recognises the importance of the individual schools to their communities and that meeting this policy would not be possible if they all remained as completely separate schools.

In the East Wight, the Panel is recommending that Nettlestone becomes a 1FE primary school on its existing site. In respect of Brading and St Helens the Panel is recommending that the two schools become 0.5FE primaries on their existing sites, with each of the two governing bodies developing, consulting upon and agreeing on arrangements to establish a statutory federation, either with each other or with different suitable partner schools. A federation of Brading & St Helens would achieve a combined 1FE across the two sites.

In the West Wight, the panel recommends that the local authority proposes to the governing bodies of Yarmouth and Shalfleet schools the development of a statutory federation of two 4-11 primary schools, using their existing sites.

A statutory federation involves a single governing body and leadership of the federation being formed from the schools within the federation. The schools can retain their own name, ethos and admissions arrangements.

If these recommendations are accepted, further statutory consultation must then be held, within the communities of the federating schools, in respect of the schools’ proposals for federation. If agreed by Cabinet, this process will take place during the summer term period.