Chale Primary School presents Petition to Parliament

Children from Chale School and members of Chale School and Village Community Association and supporters, took a well supported petition to Parliament on April 30th.

The petition of 2058 signatures was presented to Andrew Turner outside parliament and then the children were able to watch and Mr Turner presented the petition to the house.

The petition declared

• That Chale Church of England Primary School must be retained within the village;
• Further declares that this small rural school provides the perfect environment for local children to develop their full potential academically, together with social skills for future life within the community of the village;
• Notes that the closure of the Village School would necessitate children as young as 4 years old travelling up to 16 miles a day on an additional school bus;
• Further notes that this would preclude parents from having daily interaction with teaching staff and settling their children into school each day, and that this would also impact upon children’s opportunities to partake in after school activities;
• Believes that the financial implications of providing this transport would eradicate any potential savings from the school closure;
• Further believes that closing the school would rip the heart out of the community, and undermine village life, causing young families to move away, in order to live near a primary school.

The Petitioners therefore request that the House of Commons urges the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families to direct the Isle of Wight Council to abandon any plans to close Chale School.

Jill Jackman Chair of Governors of Chale primary School said “I think it was wonderful day for everyone who has been supporting us and we now hope that the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families will considered our arguments against the closure seriously and support us in the fight to keep this very special school open”