MP Bob Seely has slammed Alliance Councillors for disgracefully delaying decisions about school place planning until after the council elections next year.
On 23 November 2023, the new Alliance Council Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, Jonathan Bacon, announced that he would reverse the Council’s work on school place planning and delay the closure of unviable primary schools on the Island until Autumn 2025.
Mr Seely said: “Delaying decisions on school closures puts all schools under pressure and wracks up school debt at a time when teachers need to be supported in driving up school standards.”
The Island’s MP has written to all members of the Isle of Wight Council. He says that the Alliance Group – supported by Independent, Labour, Lib Dems and Greens - are refusing to listen to senior teachers.
“That is an appalling record and shows how weak leadership and muddled thinking hurts education and fails teachers, parents and above all, children.”
Seely said:
“1. We already know the facts. There were 213 vacant reception places in 2022-23. Because of this it was recommended that three primary schools should close (along with Chillerton).
“2. The Alliance’s decision has reversed both officers’ recommendations and the information submitted by headteachers and school governors.
“3. The Alliance Council’s decision to delay place planning by another academic year means that Island primary schools will receive around £850,000 less funding for education than if reception places were at capacity. The decision strips funding from more viable schools.
“4. Entering all schools into a new process of place planning has raised unnecessary concerns in schools. It will provide a completely unnecessary distraction for senior teachers when they need to be focusing on delivering education and raising standards in our schools, especially when it comes to phonics (reading).
“5. Delaying decision-making until 2025 puts unviable schools at risk of financial failure and will increase school budget pressures overall on the Island.”
School funding is allocated on a ‘per pupil’ basis, so vacant school places means the money allocated by the government must stretch further if schools are not rationalised. Delays will affect school budgets and the ability of Island schools to plan for the future.
Mr Seely said: “The decision reverses both officers’ recommendations and the information submitted by headteachers and school governors. Yet again, Alliance councillors are refusing to listen to senior teachers.
“What the Alliance is doing has delayed necessary change, caused unnecessary problems and denied funding to schools and schoolchildren.
“Teachers, governors, parents and pupils need, and want, certainty. The Alliance Group is making them wait longer than is necessary for that certainty. It’s disgraceful and I strongly urge them to put pupils above politics.”
Mr Seely has raised the issue with the Education Secretary and Department for Education officials.
