Diocese lodges formal appeal over school closures

A Church of England diocese has launched a formal appeal over a council decision to shut two primary schools.

Isle of Wight Council's cabinet voted to shut Arreton St George's CE and Cowes Primary at a meeting on Thursday, but reprieved three other schools that had also been earmarked for closure.

The Diocese of Portsmouth, which oversees the island's parishes, said it had written to the government's schools adjudicator to complain about the "flawed" decision-making process.

The council has been approached for comment.

In a letter to council leader Phil Jordan, the diocese accused the authority of "multiple errors and issues".

Diocesan director of education Jeff Williams said: "We are pleased that the cabinet... voted against the recommendation to close Oakfield CofE Primary, Brading CofE Primary and Wroxall Primary Schools.

"We remain concerned about the process, lack of transparent criteria, secure evidence and information on which councillors based their decision provided by your officers, to close Arreton St George's CofE Primary and Cowes Primary School.

"We have always acknowledged that there is a need for the Isle of Wight Council to rationalise school provision.

"Clearly, this needs to happen again but we are concerned that the premises and fundamentally flawed positions that are still held by your senior officers will re-surface and again cause unnecessary disruption, distress and uncertainty for children, families and communities."

The council confirmed on Friday it would start the process again, as it still had too many school places.

Parents, staff and local campaigners have held protests outside their schools in Newport town centre and outside council meetings since the plans were announced in September.

At Thursday's meeting, more than 300 people watched online, and the council chamber gallery was so busy an extra room had to be opened for the public.

A few hours before the meeting, Brading councillor Jonathan Bacon resigned his cabinet post.

He later told the BBC "nothing was solved" by the vote on Thursday and "a greater problem has been created" raising concerns "all primary schools are now under threat again".

The Office of the Schools Adjudicator has been approached for comment.

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