COUNCILLOR Jonathan Bacon stressed no Isle of Wight schools have been identified as being at risk of closure, and any names you hear before September will be down to "rumour and opinion and should be ignored".

Plans to tackle the issue of surplus school places on the Isle of Wight went before cabinet yesterday (Thursday).

Cllr Bacon said education attainment on the Island is poor overall, and there has been a tendency to look at examples of success and improvement while neglecting the bigger picture in the past.

The Isle of Wight Council says too many empty seats and not enough pupils to fill them has a "stark and severe" financial impact.

For every surplus place, schools lose more than £4,500, affecting resources, opportunities and the quality of education children receive.

According to the council, by March 2027, 22 Island primary schools may face budget deficits, potentially amounting to a cumulative £7.4 million or more.

At a meeting of the council's corporate scrutiny committee earlier this week, the local authority set out its timetable of plans to address surplus places.

It was revealed the list of schools earmarked for expansion, amendment or closure will be named at cabinet on September 12.

This will then be followed by a formal consultation period.

A decision on which schools will shut would then be made in December and the closures would likely take effect from autumn 2025. 

Addressing the cabinet, Cllr Bacon said addressing the issues of school places will essentially mean schools can be better funded and start to concentrate on standards rather than day to day survival.

He stressed it’s not a process just about numbers, but about “achieving the best for our children”.  

“We have to start somewhere, and it’s not going to be an easy process – there will be pain,” said Cllr Bacon.

“But I’m confident what is being done is being done for the right reasons.”

“We must improve standards of education on the Island,” said Cllr Phil Jordan.

“It’s not an easy task, but in doing so, I sincerely hope it is the start of a kind of regeneration.

“At this stage, tonight, we are asking you consider and vote upon a draft strategy. It’s a living document, and there’s more road to be travelled yet before that document becomes definitive.”

Councillors voted unanimously in favour of the draft strategy.