News Stories
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3 April 2025
in SchoolsBreakfast Club supports island students
Hundreds of students at the Bay CofE School in Sandown are benefiting from a Breakfast Club that is being provided as part of the school's Flourish project. Pupils on the secondary site have a chance to eat in school ahead of the school day, thanks to a range of community partners and volunteers from local churches. Read more
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28 March 2025
in SchoolsSchool marks 270 years with John Pounds celebration
Staff, parents and pupils at St George’s CofE Beneficial School in Portsea are marking their 270th birthday this year. One of the events recalled the work of Portsmouth legend John Pounds, who had a key role in inspiring the education of the city’s poor. Children and adults dressed up in outfits from the 19th century as they recalled the school's history and John Pounds’ role in creating our education system Read more
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24 March 2025
in SchoolsDiocese refers Isle of Wight Council to independent adjudicator
Our diocese has referred the Isle of Wight Council to an independent adjudicator over the process it followed when deciding which of its schools might close. Lawyers have written to the council’s legal team to confirm this action. The fact that its Cabinet voted to close only two of the five threatened schools last week does not change the diocese’s view that the process before that decision was flawed. Read more
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20 March 2025
in SchoolsCouncil decision on Isle of Wight school closures
The Isle of Wight Council has decided to close one CofE school, but has rejected proposals to close two others. Its Cabinet voted in favour of closing Arreton CofE Primary, and Cowes Primary Schools, but decided not to go ahead and close Oakfield CofE Primary in Ryde, Brading CofE Primary or Wroxall Primary Schools. This is our response to this news. Read more
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19 March 2025
in SchoolsFlourish project involves pupils singing in church
Our ‘Flourish’ initiative has been launched at schools across our diocese, including at Bembridge CofE Primary on the Isle of Wight. One of the first elements of Flourish there was for pupils to sing and lead prayers as part of a World Day of Prayer service at Holy Trinity Church. Read more
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27 Feb. 2025
in SchoolsFlourish lunchtime club sparks interest
The weekly lunchtime club at Horndean C of E Junior School is part of the Flourish project there, which aims to create new voluntary worshipping communities in schools. Read more
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26 Feb. 2025
in SchoolsArreton Primary School wins Isle Dance 2025 competition
Arreton Primary School’s interpretation of a young couple’s love story that ends with the need for specialist care from Mountbatten Isle of Wight won February’s hard-fought Isle Dance 2025 competition. Read more
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25 Feb. 2025
in SchoolsFlourish project launched in island school
Our ‘Flourish’ initiative has been launched at schools across our diocese, including at The Bay CofE Primary School in Sandown. It includes a monthly Messy Church, collective worship and art and craft sessions on the primary site. And there’s a popular Breakfast Club and a Christian Union on the secondary site. Read more
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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