Ventnor Blog

Steve Beynon has held the role of Director of Children’s Service at the Isle of Wight Council for the last two years, having worked in the public sector for 32 years.

His career began in Cardiff as a teacher. A move to Essex saw him take on a role as Head Teacher, before joining the inspection/advisory service at Essex County Council.

Reports that he impressed his bosses there led to a promotion, when he became Principal Advisor.

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For the last hour, following the news that Steve Beynon has been offered the role of Chief Executive of the IW Council, our phone has been off the hook and the majority of views shared with us have been that of stunned amazement.

We’ve also learned that the decision to offer the role to Stevie was down to the members of the appointment committee - Cllr Muriel Miller, Cllr George Brown, Cllr Barry Abraham and Cllr Brian Mosdell.

Beynon and School closures
If you live on the Island, you’ll have had to have been sitting in a dark cellar for the last six months to not know who Steve Beynon is.

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We were literally just about to publish this story below to announce that Steve Beynon was going for the position of Chief Exec of the IW Council …. when we were told the CP had the details (based on the councils press release, we assume) of the next Chief exec role … as Steve Beynon!

More soon, but until then here’s the article we were going to run … (more…)

The Island’s Conservative Group have today issued a press release explaining that the final decision on the schools will not be made before the 2009 local elections.

In their words, they will “seek a fresh mandate from the public for its ‘Better Schools’ programme in the 2009 IW Council elections.”

Many are finding this confusing as they say they understood that’s what the long-winded public consultation over the schools reforms was for. (more…)

Dear old St Catherine’s School had their fete this afternoon, drawing good crowds of supporters.

The High Sheriff of the Isle of Wight, Alan Titchmarsh, opened the event and we were there to catch a little time with him while he was waiting for a fruit smoothie made by some of the pupils.

Prior to this he’d been wandering around the fete having masses of photos taken of him with various members of the public - on reflection, perhaps he should have suggested donations to St Catherine’s for each one taken. (more…)

A couple of weeks ago, along with about 300 other people, we made our way to the Medina Theatre to hear more about the fantastic St George’s Dragon Project.

Although we knew quite a bit about the great work of the project already - it was a real bonus to see the photos and hear directly from those involved about the impact that the project has had on the students at not only St George’s School, but students from other schools who benefit also.

Nigel George, founder of public artists Ecclestone George, who works closely with the school, talked us through how the project started. (more…)

Many thanks to Kim for letting us know about this great new project coming out from St Catherine’s. Ed

The adage “From small acorns great oak trees grow” could not be more relevant for the children and young people at St Catherine’s in Ventnor.

During the second half of 2007 a small group of learners were set the challenge of writing about their favourite things in terms of a verse or poem in their English class.
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Last reminder for tonight’s event at Medina Theatre.

For three quid you can find out first hand about the novel and exciting education project, St George’s Dragon and then be entertained by two of the Islands best loved bands! Lucid and The Wild Oats.

As organiser Nigel George says …

If you have children that go to school on the Island they will benefit from this project…..turn up on the 5th June and be the first to discover how.

All profits made from the evening will go to the project. You can still book tickets by calling (01983) 527020

Don’t forget that tomorrow night sees Lucid and The Wild Oats make their way to Medina Theatre to support the Dragon Awareness Event.

A short presentation with pics of work already carried out by students of St George’s school in Newport will kick off the event, and following that, there’ll be live performances from Island bands, Lucid (interviewed by John Hannam last Sunday) and The Wild Oats - who you might remember created the very popular charity single Making Sense Song in aid of the school last year. (more…)

At the end of the month, some further education learners from St Catherine’s School in Ventnor will be running a charity shop on the High Street for two weeks (in the empty shop next to Perks Off-License).

The shop is a great opportunity for the learners to gain valuable work experience whilst raising funds for St Catherine’s, so please come and support us if you can.
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Two exciting Blue Flag educational initiatives are about to be launched in Ventnor. It’s all part of the drive for Ventnor to gain Blue Flag status (we’ll be able to give you more news on that soon).

The Ventnor Partnership (which is a sub-set of the Ventnor Town Council) has joined forces with the Isle Wight Council’s Coastal Visitors Centre (CVC) to devise two valuable surveys, that will not only help discover how the beaches are used and can be improved, but will be a great educational tool for any children or young people who get involved.

It is hoped that residents, visitors and schools will help complete the surveys, one of which is on Beach Use and other on Rock Pool Habitat.
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This Thursday, the Isle of Wight Coastal Visitors Centre in Ventnor are inviting families along to the Rockpool Ramble.

The rocky shore of Ventnor’s Coastline is home to a fascinating array of creatures adapted to live in this hostile environment.

Hunt for crabs under rocks, prawns in pools and blennys hiding in the seaweed.

To book your place on a rockpool adventure please telephone the Coastal Centre on

01983 855 400 or e-mail coastal.centre(at)iow.gov.uk.

Image: G-Hat

• East Cowes Primary School amalgamation
• Whippingham Primary School amalgamation
• New Primary School on Osborne Middle site 4 – 11 2FE
• Holy Cross Catholic Primary School 4 – 11 1FE (Rural School)
  possible relocation to Whippingham site
• Wootton Primary School 4 – 11 1FE (Rural School)
• Osborne Middle School Closed

• Arreton St George’s CE Primary School 4 – 11 1FE
• Hard federation with appropriate CE Aided primary
• Chillerton & Rookley Primary School Amalgamation
• Godshill Primary School Amalgamation
• Wroxall Primary School Amalgamation
• New School on Godshill and Wroxall sites 2FE
• Newchurch Primary School 4 – 11 1FE Primary (Rural School)

• Barton Primary 4 - 11 1FE
• Carisbrooke CEP 4 – 11 2FE
• Hunnyhill Primary 4 – 11 2 FE
  relocated to Kitbridge Middle site
• Newport CEP 4 – 11 2FE
• Nine Acres Primary 4 – 11 2FE
• Summerfield Primary 4 – 11 1FE
• St Thomas of Canterbury RCP 4 – 11 1 FE
  Hard Federation with St Mary’s RCP Ryde
• New Primary School 4 – 11 2FE
  Located on Downside Middle site
• Downside Middle Closed
• Kitbridge Middle Closed
• Nodehill Middle Closed
• ABK Catholic Middle Closed August 2008
  Trinity Middle Closed August 2008
• Christ the King College 11-19 8 FE
• Carisbrooke High school Closed
• New Secondary School 11-19 7 FE
  On Carisbrooke site
• Medina High School Closed
• New Secondary School 11-19 7 FE
  On Medina (and Downside) sites

• Binstead Primary School 4 – 11 1FE
• Dover Park Primary School 4 – 11 1FE
• Greenmount Primary School 4 – 11 2FE
  relocated to Mayfield Middle site
• Haylands Primary School 4 – 11 2FE
  relocated to Swanmore Middle site
• Oakfield CE Primary School 4 – 11 1FE
  relocated to Bishop Lovett site
• St Mary’s Catholic Primary School 4 – 11 1FE
• Bishop Lovett CE Middle School Closed
• Mayfield CE Middle School Closed
• Swanmore Middle School Closed
• Ryde High School Closed
• New Secondary School 11-19 12 FE
  on Ryde High and Haylands sites

We’ve received this information in advance of the official release. Due to the huge public interest in this, we’re going to run it now.

It will take a while to get it all out, but we’ll do our best.

We suspect that reaction to this news will not be good, bringing a significant focus back on to the education debate.

First, the details of the secondary schools.

There will be six secondary schools, including one new school.
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Rebecca Tuck from the Isle of Wight Council has been in touch this week, asking us to advertise a position for an afternoon School Crossing Patrol in Ventnor (more on that later).

It reminded us of Ventnorian, Wendy Marshall who many of you will know, picked up the IW Radio People’s People Award for Crossing Patrol Person of the Year in 2007 last year.

We caught up with Wendy a while ago to talk about her work and the awards.
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Tomorrow sees the launch of the very first RiverFest.

It takes place in Newport by the quayside and surrounding river area.

There are tons of activities taking place over the day including a six mile river walk, street theatre, stilt walkers and fire show (with the amazing Matt Splatt) and even a mini beast safari. (more…)

Following the announcement yesterday of the concert being held next week at Cowes Yacht Haven to celebrate the life of Anthony Minghella, we hear today that his sister, Jazz singer Edana Minghella, will also be making a special appearance at the concert. (more…)

Anyone planning to joining the Circus Skills and Stilt Walking classes, being held at The Venntor Youth Centre, please be aware of changes to the start date.

The course, which is being run by Matt Splat of Ryde Extreme Performers, who you might remember from the excellent Circus Variety Show on Easter Monday, starts on Saturday 10th May.

Each week between 11am-12.30pm, he’ll be teaching a range of circus skills, including stilt walking. (more…)

A new facility that will provide support for families with children under the age of 5 is being officially opened on 1 May. (more…)

If you haven’t got your tickets yet for the forthcoming fundraiser and awareness gig for the St George’s Dragon project, make sure you sort it out before they get snapped up.

After the short presentation about the project, you will be entertained by the brilliant Wild Oats and Lucid, two excellent Island bands who will certainly put on a good show.
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Fantastic news reaches us this morning that St George’s PMLD School is Newport has just announced that TV presenter Chris Packham, has agreed to become a patron of Dragon.

What better day to make the announcement than on St George’s Day.

Chris said today

“I’m delighted to be asked to support Dragon by being a patron, St George’s is a terrific school full of superb kids.

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This Thursday (24 April), the National Union of Teachers is staging a national 24hr walk-out in response to the School Teachers’ Review Body’s recommended pay increase for school teachers. The strike is affecting a small number of schools on the Isle of Wight. (more…)