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Chillerton And Rookley Primary Set For Closure

Despite delays and further community consultation, the Isle of Wight Council is still looking to close Chillerton and Rookley Primary School.

A recommended decision has been published, ahead of Cabinet’s final consideration next week, to close the rural primary school by August 31 and send pupils to its sister school in Godshill.

The school’s future has been uncertain for over a year but now leading Cabinet members will be told closing Chillerton and amalgamating in Godshill will reduce surplus places and support the ongoing provision of high-quality education.

Dwindling pupil numbers and monetary pressures at both the rural schools led the Stenbury Federation original request.

A decision was paused in May 2021, when the new Alliance administration took control of the local authority.

The authority’s second consultation – which ran for six-weeks from October – received 233 responses and according to the cabinet papers, 32 per cent of those who answered online opted for the Chillerton closure.

A quarter preferred securing a free school or academy as a sponsor — something the Island Free School said it was ‘open to discussions’ about, after being approached by the campaign to save the school.

For that to happen, the primary school would need to leave the Stenbury Federation.

The Isle of Wight Council says finding a sponsor who is prepared to take the small school on with such a ‘significant financial deficit’ is unlikely.

The overall deficit of Chillerton and Rookley Primary school currently stands at £80,374.

Cabinet will have the final say about the school’s future at its meeting on Thursday, February 10.

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