Children on Isle of Wight set to be forced to attend ‘faith’ schools

2 October, 2015

Children at Weston Primary School.
Children at Weston Community Primary School, protesting against the previous closure threat in 2011.

A group of parents on the Isle of Wight have launched a petition in a last ditch attempt to stop the only non-denominational primary school in the whole of the west of the island from closing. Weston Academy Primary School was placed in special measures earlier this year, and Education Secretary Nicky Morgan approved its closure, despite the fact that the nearest other non-denominational school is 12 miles away and already oversubscribed. The decision means parents at the school will have to send their children to either the Church of England or Catholic schools in the area. The British Humanist Association (BHA), which successfully worked with local groups on a campaign to keep the school open back in 2011, has expressed its disappointment at the decision, calling for it to be reversed.

The school has been involved in a long struggle to stay open in recent years. In 2011, against the wishes of the local community, the Isle of Wight Council proposed to close the school, rather than one of the other two local schools, specifically because both of them are ‘faith’ schools. Happily, and with the support of the BHA, the school was able to avoid closure by becoming an Academy, thereby placing it outside the council’s power to close.

However, having been placed in special measures, and with its closure now approved, the school’s resistance looks in danger of coming to an end. A petition organised by local parents to keep the school open has now reached nearly 500 signatures.

Commenting on the news, BHA Faith Schools Campaigner Jay Harman said, ‘Those who defend “faith” schools often do so by claiming that parents have the right to bring their children up in line with their beliefs, but as the situation on the Isle of Wight demonstrates, they care little about extending this right to those of all religions and none who do not want such an education. Parents are faced with similar dilemmas all over the country – this latest case serves  to underline what we have always maintained – there is only way to ensure that our education system respects the beliefs of all parents and children, and that is to make all schools inclusive and open to all. We hope that the academy trust and Department for Education will reassess their decision.’

Notes

For further comment of information, please contact Jay Harman on 07970 393 680 or jay@humanists.uk.

Read the BHA’s previous news item on the school, ‘Isle of Wight community school’s avoiding closure a “victory for inclusive education”’: https://humanists.uk/2011/10/19/news-856-2/

Read more about the BHA’s work on ‘faith’ schools: https://humanists.uk/campaigns/schools-and-education/faith-schools/

The British Humanist Association is the national charity working on behalf of non-religious people who seek to live ethical and fulfilling lives on the basis of reason and humanity. It promotes a secular state and equal treatment in law and policy of everyone, regardless of religion or belief.