News Stories
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20 Feb. 2025
in SchoolsDiocese paves the way for legal challenge over island schools
Our diocese has begun a process paving the way for a potential Judicial Review of the Isle of Wight Council's plans to close three CofE schools. A formal 'Letter before Claim' has been sent to the Isle of Wight's legal team, setting out the diocese's case ahead of possible legal proceedings. Read more
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10 Feb. 2025
in SchoolsSarisbury pupils welcome their new vicar
Pupils from Sarisbury C of E Junior School were on hand to welcome their new vicar, the Rev Dave Crees, as he was licensed by the bishop. Read more
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11 Dec. 2024
in SchoolsEducation director urges councillors to delay school closure decision
Our education director has urged councillors to delay a decision on whether to close six Isle of Wight schools – because they only have “inaccurate, incomplete information” on which to make a decision. Jeff Williams argued that the process followed by the Isle of Wight Council has been flawed, and urged the council’s Cabinet to delay a decision until a meeting of the full council in January. Read more
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5 Dec. 2024
in SchoolsBishop pledges to challenge school closures
Bishop Jonathan has promised to challenge the Isle of Wight Council’s proposals to close three Church of England schools, after officers confirmed they were recommending closure. He has urged councillors to vote against the plans next week, warning that the poorest families will be the ones to suffer if the closures go ahead. Read more
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1 Nov. 2024
in SchoolsSpecialist help for pupils at Brading is vital
Brading C of E Primary is one of three Church of England schools that the Isle of Wight Council would like to close. We argue that all three are vital for their communities. Among other things, the expertise at Brading C of E Primary in special needs provision makes a massive difference to pupils such as Maddie Wells Read more
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30 Oct. 2024
in SchoolsBishop urges council to pause school closure plans
Bishop Jonathan has urged the Isle of Wight Council to pause proposals for six island schools to close, to allow time for proper consideration of alternative proposals. Both he and our Diocesan Board of Education have formally responded to the council's proposals during its consultation phase. Read more
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30 Oct. 2024
in SchoolsGreen spaces mean so much to Oakfield pupils
Our diocese is opposing plans by the Isle of Wight Council to close three CofE primary schools. Here we profile Oakfield C of E Primary in Ryde. Its beautiful site is a godsend for families who don't always have gardens or green space nearby. Read more
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28 Oct. 2024
in SchoolsParents and children full of love for Arreton Primary
Parents and children can't stop talking about how much they love Arreton St George's C of E Primary School, on the Isle of Wight. They are asking the Isle of Wight Council not to go ahead with their proposals to close the school Read more
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11 Sept. 2024
in SchoolsDiocese’s response to proposals to close island schools
The diocese has responded to proposals from the Isle of Wight Council to close six schools, including three C of E primaries. Bishop Jonathan has outlined our position, which is that if a local authority wishes to close a C of E school, there should be an alternative C of E school nearby where parents can choose to send their children. Read more
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11 July 2024
in SchoolsCathedral displays hundreds of children’s clay sculptures
Our cathedral is hosting hundreds of clay sculptures made by Year 6 pupils who are attending Leavers’ Services this week. Each individual figure has been moulded by a different pupil, in the style of British sculptor Anthony Gormley, and brought to the cathedral by a pupil who is leaving their C of E primary school this summer. They now form a mass art installation at the ancient east east of the cathedral. Read more