EDUCATION MEETINGS AT COUNTY HALL TONIGHT AND TOMORROW

A protest is expected to take place as members of the Isle of Wight Council's Cabinet meet to consider the future of education on the Isle of Wight, tonight. A group that is demanding better consultation will be accompanied by a samba band, this evening.

After months of public outcry, over rumours of the planned closure of some Island high schools and plans to retain an extra year at middle school, 4 proposals will now be on the agenda. They include the current 3-tier scheme, plus alternatives involving primary and secondary level education.

The four options are:
Option 1
All post-14 learning centres will be run under a single leadership and governance. Year 9 will be retained in middle schools.
Option 2
Schools for 4-11 year olds will be established, with a minimum of 2 classes per year. A mix of 11 - 16 and 11 - 19 secondary schools will be established.
Option 3
Schools for 4 - 11 year olds will be established, with a mixture of 1 and 2 classes per year. A mix of 11 - 16 and 11 - 19 secondary schools will be established.
Option 4
Schools for 4 - 11 year olds and lower secondary schools for 11 - 14 year olds will be established. Upper secondary 14 - 19 schools will be established.

Members will be told that "no change" is not an option. Public consultation will begin in January, before the plans chosen for further exploration are developed and presented to the IW Council's Cabinet. A final decision on educational reform will be taken in March 2008.

The Cabinet meeting starts at 6pm, tonight, and the full IW Council will meet to discuss the proposals tomorrow at 6pm.