Andrew Turner MP, Member of Parliament for the Isle of Wight, will be presented on Thursday with a petition from concerned parents, villagers and children of Chale Church of England Primary School, Isle of Wight, calling for the Government to halt plans to close it down. A group of 41 from the Chale School and Village Community Association, including 18 children aged from 2 to 16 years old, will meet Mr Turner outside the Palace of Westminster (Abingdon Street gardens), to deliver their petition. The petition has collected hundreds of signatures from across the Island. Mr Turner will present the petition in the House of Commons later that day.

Mr Turner said:
“Many people feel that Chale Primary School, although small, is integral to the local community and have contacted me opposing its closure.

“I am very much looking forward to meeting the members of the Chale School and Village Community Association and pupils from Chale School on Thursday. The children will also take the opportunity to witness first hand the everyday workings of the House of Commons and the House of Lords. Many schools from the Island travel to London to see the Palace of Westminster, but this is the first time a school has come bearing a petition for me to present to Parliament.

“Ofsted describes Chale Primary as having a happy, welcoming environment with good teaching standards. I do hope that some way is found for it to continue to offer that to Island children. I have heard rumours that the Church of England Diocese are considering a federation arrangement with other small local schools - that sounds to me like a very good way forward.”