Isle of Wight School System
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There are 69 LEA maintained schools on the Isle of Wight, and at least three private schools. Unlike much of the rest of the United Kingdom, the Isle of Wight does not conform to the general pattern of pupils changing schools at 7, 11 and 16 (See Education in England) and uses a system once experimented with in a few other areas of the United Kingdom, but now retained by only a handful of other areas.
Part of the rationale behind the system was that the age of eleven is a period of dramatic physical and emotional change and also significantly different to the higher age groups in secondary education. Creation of a tier between earlier primary and later secondary education meant a different character of education of education suitable to the age group could be developed taking the child up to age thirteen when they were more ready for high school
The system has been popular among parents and teachers, but since the introduction of the National Curriculum criticisms have arisen over the system because the curriculum is based on 'Key Stages' lasting either two or three years. Due to changing school at age 13, two years of 'Key Stage 3' are spent at a middle school, and one year in high school, thus resulting in a lack of continuity and problems for high schools whose intake will be from several middle schools.
- Primary Schools -- There are around 48 primary schools on the island, taking pupils from age five to nine [the reception year to year 4]. Many of these are Church of England or Catholic aided or controlled.
- Middle Schools -- There are 16 middle schools, taking pupils from age 9 to 13 [Years 5 to 8]. Of these, one is the local Catholic school, two are Church of England controlled and one is voluntary controlled. In some other areas of the UK still retaining a similar system the middle school ages are 8 to 12 [Years 4 to 7].
- High Schools -- There are five high schools (Sandown, Ryde, Carisbrooke, Medina and Cowes), taking pupils from age 13 to 18 (compulsory years 9 to 11 and (sixth form) years 12 and 13).
- The Isle of Wight College -- Like many counties the Isle of Wight has a college offering vocational course and a sixth form as well as link courses in tertiary and postgraduate education. This college in located on the outskirts of Newport.
- Private Schools -- There are at least three private schools on the Island, Ryde School (which in the 1990's took over the independent schools Upper Chine and Bembridge School, adding its pupils to its register), The Priory School and Westmont School.
Reforms to the System
In 2004 the Isle of Wight council undertook a consultative process with interested parties aimed at changing the local education policies, with the most likely outcome being a whole or partial move to a school system similar to that existing in the rest of the country.
Categories: Requests for peer review | Isle of Wight | Education in the United Kingdom