The under threat Chillerton and Rookley Primary appears to have been saved from closure, following a council u-turn.
A surplus in pupil places and monetary pressures had led to uncertainty over the school’s future.
Plans to shut it were put forward almost a year ago, as previously reported by Isle of Wight Radio, but a decision was paused after the Alliance Administration was elected to office in May 2021.
Following community consultation, in February, it was recommended to merge the school with Godshill Primary.
However, council lead for education on the Island, Cllr Debbie Andre, has now confirmed proposals have been shelved altogether.
"This announcement ends the uncertainty around the future of the school, and we hope that more parents will want to apply for places at their local school, confident that there will be continuity in their child’s academic journey.
"Throughout this period of uncertainty, the headteacher, staff and governors have continued, under difficult circumstances, to maintain the quality of education on offer at both Godshill and Chillerton and Rookley and I would like to pay tribute to their professionialism.
"It is important that we continue to focus on improving the quality of education so that children experience high-quality provision including a rich and rounded curriculum. I have therefore asked officers to ensure the school is well supported moving forward so that it has the necessary capacity to deliver the ambitions we all share for our Island children.
"Education Officers are now investigating options as to how we support our smaller and more rural primary schools so that they can be sustained during periods of falling numbers and financial challenges, particularly in light of the Government’s new White Paper on education.
"The Alliance Administration is committed to this course and I am working closely with the officers who have been tasked with working up viable proposals, so that they can be brought forward as soon as possible for consideration."
Cllr Andre said when the administration took office last year they were "concerned" by the consultation initiated by the previous administration.
She added:
"We believe that schools are one of the fundamental pillars of a community and that they play a vital and central role in village life, especially within our rural communities.
"There are social as well as economic benefits to children of primary age attending local schools with small classes."
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