A consultation is being launched over plans to cut primary provision at the Island Learning Centre in Newport, the Isle of Wight County Press has been told. 

Critics say the specialist school in Albany Road is crucial to helping children of all ages  turn around their behaviour, outside of mainstream schools, before getting them back to class.

The Isle of Wight Council says an 'established' extension of a Hampshire-based scheme could replace it.   

Parents whose children are currently at the Island Learning Centre have been asked to comment on the plans, which could see changes from as early as September.

Read more: 

Who attends the Island Learning Centre?

The Island Learning Centre says its aim is to "maximise the academic achievement of our pupils while addressing their individual social and emotional needs, often with the additional support of other external agencies."

It takes children who have been permanently excluded from their mainstream school, or who are at risk of permanent exclusion.

It also caters for children with special educational needs who are awaiting a place at a special school and those who are medically unwell, or who are emotionally vulnerable, with a diagnosis of mental health difficulties.

Isle of Wight County Press:

A consultation document, shared with the County Press, says the Island Learning Centre (ILC) could become a provision for 11 to 16-year-olds only from this September.

Currently, it accepts children from as young as five years old, but instead, Hampshire's Primary Behaviour Service could be extended to the Island.

The council says it means children would be supported within their mainstream primary schools.

Critics say it would be 'detrimental' and fear it is a cost-cutting measure - warning the Island's dedicated SEND schools are full.

The Isle of Wight Council said: "Through this proposal, the council is responding to what it believes is a need and appetite for more of the service, free at the point of delivery across the system.

"This proposal would entail greater investment in our primary behaviour services, providing the best services to get the best outcomes.

"The consultation is a valuable opportunity for the council to hear more views from across the wider Island community, to help inform any future decisions on changes, in the interests of children and their families."

With spaces for just 60 children, there are currently 20 primary school pupils and 73 secondary children registered at the ILC.

Officially, there are only 10 places for primary-aged children, although some pupils remain registered with their original school at the same time as they are linked to the ILC. 

What do you think about plans to cut primary provision at the Island Learning Centre?

The Isle of Wight Council's consultation document says: "Hampshire’s Primary Behaviour Service (PBS)...is an established service with a successful track record in short-term intervention, reductions in exclusion/suspension rates and good impact of work to improve policy and practice, at both individual pupil and whole school level.

"Its annual survey consistently shows overwhelmingly positive impact and responses from schools.

"Some primary schools on the Island have been purchasing PBS support ad hoc and have also benefited from input by PBS funded through the Well-being for Education Return/Recovery grant.

"Anecdotally a number of primary schools have expressed an interest in a PBS model for Island schools."

A meeting is being planned, for concerned existing ILC parents, for Monday, January 23.