Tonight, members of the Isle of Wight Council Cabinet will meet at County Hall to consider the latest report on the changes in Island education and to decide the next stage forward.

A detailed report – following the evaluation of around 1,700 representations – is being presented to the council’s Cabinet. 

The full Cabinet paper can be seen on www.iwight.com under ‘Your Council’ then ‘Meetings’ and following the links to the Cabinet section.

The papers include a school-by school explanation of what the proposals will mean, a timescale over which the reforms would be carried out and statistics showing why a change to a two-tier system offers the best opportunity to improve standards.

The report outlines a number of recommendations for members to consider. One is the appointment of an independent review panel of education professionals to look at the council’s plans in areas where there has been significant response and concerns raised.

The panel, who will have had no involvement in the current education reforms, will review the council’s proposals and meet with local communities ahead of a report to the council’s Cabinet by the end of  February 2009.

Members of the public are welcome to attend and view the meeting from the public gallery, although space will be limited.

Extra seating will made available in Committee Room 1 where a live video feed from the Chamber will be established.