Education Reforms On The Isle of Wight - Options

Options

Three main options were put forward at the start of 2008, with an option being chosen in March 2008. Under the options at least half the Island's existing primary schools would be closed. Twenty-three primaries and one middle school whichever option was taken.

• Option One - primary/juniorhigh/learning centres - would leave three primary schools, one junior high and one learning centre in the Cowes area, three primaries and one junior high in East Cowes, four primaries, two junior high schools and one learning centre in Ryde, two primary schools in the East Wight, four primaries, two junior highs in South East Wight, three primaries and one junior high in the South Wight, four primaries and one junior high in the West Wight and six primaries, two junior high schools, one learning centre and one faith college (9-19) in Newport.
• Option Two - a two-tier primary/secondary set-up - would leave two primary schools in the Cowes area and one secondary school; two primaries in East Cowes, five primary schools and one secondary school in the Ryde area, one primary school for the East Wight, four primary schools in the South East Wight area, two primary schools in South Wight, two primaries in the West Wight and six primaries, two secondary schools and one faith college in the Newport area.
• Option Three - a similar two-tier set-up - would leave four primary schools and one secondary school in the Cowes area, three primary schools in East Cowes, five primaries and one secondary in Ryde, two primaries in the East Wight, five primaries and one secondary in the South East Wight area, three primary schools in the South Wight area, four primaries in the West and seven primary schools, two secondary schools and one faith college in Newport.
• Fourth option - A fourth option was put on the table, calling for a refurendum on school structure to allow islanders the chance to have their say. However this option was defeated when the council voted to pursue a two-tier schools structure.

The Isle of Wight Council says it could save up to £2 million a year in money that would be spent on small primary schools, that under the new system, wouldn't be needed. The changes will begin to be introduced from September 2008, with the final changes complete by September 2010.