Closure notices issued for five island schools

Plans to shut five primary schools due to declining pupil numbers on the Isle of Wight have moved to the next step with the publication of statutory closure notices.

The notices for Arreton St George's CE, Brading CE, Cowes, Oakfield CE and Wroxall primary schools have been published by Isle of Wight Council.

Councillors voted to close the five schools on 12 December with Godshill Primary School given a reprieve.

A statutory four-week consultation for people to have their say on the proposals runs until 3 February.

The authority is expected to make a final decision on the plans by late February or early March.

The five schools could close on 31 August 2025.

Previously, the council said a falling birth rate had left nearly 1,900 unfilled places in mainstream schools as of October 2023.

It estimates the number of surplus places could reach 3,000 by September 2027.

The closure plans have provoked considerable opposition from concerned parents and campaigners.

In September parents and pupils staged a protest against the plans at the council offices in Newport.

The council is also proposing to add a new 12-place resourced provision for children with autism at The Bay Church of England School in Sandown.

If it gets approved the size of the school for children aged four to eleven would increase from 1 September 2025.