THESE children and their parents can’t help talking about how much they love their school. They know Arreton St George’s C of E Primary is a great example of a rural, church school that feels part of the community.

They cite the dedication of staff, exciting lessons, extra-curricular clubs, its rural setting and smaller class sizes as good reasons why it should stay open. And they know its Christian values permeate through everything that happens there.

Eight-year-old Henry Wilkes-Jones, who lives in Arreton, said: “I absolutely love this school. The whole place is amazing. We learn so much in lessons, we have great after-school clubs and great school trips.”

And Charlie Rogers, aged seven, who also lives in the village, said: “Lots of people love the values of Love, Hope and Courage. It makes it a better school because people are kinder.”

Headteacher Nicky Coates has already told the Isle of Wight Council that 81 per cent of her pupils live in the south of the island, meaning the proposed closure of schools in Arreton, Godshill and Wroxall will force families living there to travel much further to school. She also values the links with St George’s Church in Arreton – pupils go to the church for services and the vicar, the Rev Kath Abbott, visits the school regularly.

“Being a church school runs through everything we do,” she said. “Rev Kath comes into school and talks to children about faith in a language they understand. And parents appreciate our Christian values, whether they have faith or not.

“We pride ourselves for being fully inclusive, and we provide sensory circuits, bush craft, cookery, emotional literacy support and regular outside movement to help children’s communication and mental health needs. And we have a high level of children with special needs – around a third of pupils. They are happy here, so it will be counterproductive to send them to other schools.”