Parents protest Isle of Wight school's proposed closure

The protest follows the Isle of Wight Council’s proposal to close six schools – Godshill, Arreton, Oakfield, Brading, Wroxall and Cowes – in 2025.

Facebook pages and online petitions were set up by furious parents, with over 1,200 people signing Oakfield Primary School’s petition at the time of publication.

• See the Oakfield Primary School petition online HERE

Parents protest outside Oakfield Primary School (Image: Contributed) Jen Hunt, who set up the petition, previously said the school community was ‘blindsided’ by the council plans, which could see students ‘disregarded’ and jobs put in jeopardy.

Headteacher Vikki Reader said staff were devastated at the news but emphasised the importance of remaining “optimistically determined.” 

On Thursday, parents and friends of the school, including Cllr Michael Lilley, rallied outside the main gates to make their voices heard.

Read more: 

• "Incredible" turnout at Ryde meeting discussing possible school closure
• Oakfield Primary is brilliant with neurodiverse children so why close it?
• What could become of primary school sites if 'unwanted' closures go ahead?

Parents described the school as a community and a family and said that closure would be particularly devastating because there are a high number of pupils with special educational needs and disabilities.

Outside the gates, hundreds of cuddly toys were placed, each one representing a child who attends the school.

The council says the closures are needed to improve educational standards across the Island.

A final decision will not be made until March 2025, with Islanders able to share their thoughts during the consultation process