MORE than 100 people have signed a petition launched yesterday (Thursday) to save an Isle of Wight primary school from closure.

Following the news a West Wight primary school could close due to falling pupil numbers in the area, a Conservative councillor singled out All Saints in Freshwater as the only logical choice.

However, the Isle of Wight Council said a consultation would be carried out before any decision was made.

Parents and politicians have criticised Cllr Chris Whitehouse, who said All Saints was no longer sustainable.

In a letter to Father Bishop Phillip Egan, the Catholic leader of the Portsmouth Diocese, Cllr Whitehouse said St Saviours RC Primary School should be opened to All Saints pupils in an ‘act of Christian solidarity with our Anglican neighbours.’

Launching the petition to keep All Saints open, parent Rachel Pearce said: “Transport to all other schools is a huge issue as not all local families have cars. Some families rely on grandparents and family members without transport picking up kids.

“Why should they close this school? The main point is the kids are happy there, they are all coming on with their learning and social skills.”

Isle of Wight Green Party spokesperson and secondary school teacher Vix Lowthion said: “This is incredibly irresponsible of Cllr Whitehouse to speak out on this issue even before a consultation has begun.

“The instability such words cause in West Wight schools should be laid firmly at his feet.”

Responding, Cllr Whitehouse said: “What would be quite wrong is to suggest there is a threat to the future of all schools in the West Wight when that is simply not the case.”

Cllr Whitehouse said to suggest otherwise was to be ‘ignorant of the facts’.