Isle Of Wight Education "Not Where We Want To Be" Says Councillor

Friday, 11 February 2022 15:40

By Louise Hill LDR

“We strive for excellence and we are not where we want to be" - The Isle of Wight Council’s education lead, Cllr Debbie Andre, has reacted to the government listing the Island among 55 areas where school outcomes are the weakest.

These education ‘cold spots’ are identified as part of the government’s education levelling up agenda, announced last week.

Our schools will be a target for investment, support and action, to help children from all backgrounds succeed, said the government.

Cllr Andre told a meeting of leading cabinet members last night (Thursday) there was much to consider.

She said we have many excellent teachers, but admitted schooling has been facing challenges on the Island and was not at the level of ‘excellence’ the local authority strives for.

She promised higher targets and extra support and hoped the additional funding from the government would mean the recruitment and retention of more high-quality teachers.

Cllr Andre said:

“Our children are our future and we must invest in their education.”

The Department for Education says there will be priorities for a new specialist ‘sixth-form free school’.

Schools judged below ‘good’ in successive Ofsted inspections could be moved into ‘strong multi-academy trusts’.

There is also a ‘levelling-up premium,’ to improve teacher retention in high priority subjects.

Critics have called it ‘frankly alarming and deeply concerning’ claiming the government has tried to ‘tinker’ with the education system before, but with disappointing outcomes.

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Isle Of Wight Education "Not Where We Want To Be" Says Councillor

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