DESPITE delays and further community consultation, the Isle of Wight Council is still looking to close Chillerton and Rookley Primary School.

A recommended decision has been published, ahead of Cabinet's final consideration next week, to close the rural primary school by August 31 and send pupils to its sister school in Godshill.

The school's future has been uncertain for over a year but now leading Cabinet members will be told closing Chillerton and amalgamating in Godshill will reduce surplus places and support the ongoing provision of high-quality education.

Dwindling pupil numbers and monetary pressures at both the rural schools led the Stenbury Federation original request.

A decision was paused in May 2021, when the new Alliance administration took control of the local authority.

The authority's second consultation - which ran for six-weeks from October - received 233 responses and according to the cabinet papers, 32 per cent of those who answered online opted for the Chillerton closure.

A quarter preferred securing a free school or academy as a sponsor — something the Island Free School said it was 'open to discussions' about, after being approached by the campaign to save the school.

For that to happen, the primary school would need to leave the Stenbury Federation.

The Isle of Wight Council says finding a sponsor who is prepared to take the small school on with such a 'significant financial deficit' is unlikely.

The overall deficit of Chillerton and Rookley Primary school currently stands at £80,374.

Cabinet will have the final say about the school's future at its meeting on Thursday, February 10.

Cllr Debbie Andre, Cabinet member for children's services, education and lifelong skills, said: "When I first came into post last May, I gave the commitment that we would look afresh at all the issues we had inherited from the previous administration, including the future of Chillerton and Rookley Primary School and Godshill Primary School.

"I took this endeavour very seriously and I have fulfilled this commitment by going out to public consultation with a full range of options.

"I would like to express my thanks to everyone who has taken the time to engage in this consultation. Cabinet will now consider the outcomes of the consultation carefully and decide the next steps we need to take."

Local ward councillor, Suzie Ellis, is asking cabinet to 'carefully consider' all the options set out in their paper, 'particularly those that would enable a school to remain on the site in Chilerton'. 

She said: "While the officer's recommendation is for closure, there are alternatives. It has always been my preference for the school to stay open, if at all possible."

Cllr Ellis said she would be happy to raise issues or questions local residents, or other parties, had ahead of the decision with the council and asked them to get in touch. To contact Cllr Ellis, you can email suzie.ellis@iow.gov.uk

You can read the full Cabinet report here.

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