News Stories
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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
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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