Hundreds at school reform protest

Hundreds of people chanted with banners during the march

Hundreds of parents and children have marched in protest at plans to overhaul the education system on the Isle of Wight, closing at least 28 schools.

About 400 people with banners took part in a demonstration in Newport against three options to restructure the island's three-tier system.

The council argues change is needed to raise the island's below-par education performances.

A decision is due to be made by the full council on Wednesday.

Until recently, the Isle of Wight sat in the bottom 10% for national GCSE results.

But in 2007, its ranking rose to 94 out of 148 local authorities.

Referendum call

Nearly a fifth - 17.5% - of its primary school places are empty.

In January, four Tory councillors resigned over their own party's plans for the changes.

The first of three options being put forward involves tweaking the existing three-tier system into primary schools, junior highs and learning centres. This would result in 28 existing schools being shut.

The second option would be to switch to two-tier primary and secondary schools, some with sixth forms, closing 41 sites.

The third option is the same but it would allow more smaller primary schools, which would mean that only 32 existing schools would be lost.

Critics have devised and put forward a fourth option: calling for a referendum on school structure to either raise standards within the current system, or to create a two-tier system which they say would emphasise the importance of small schools and community-based learning.

Any changes are likely to be introduced in 2010.