Seriously, I’d like to know what the truth is, as I’ve heard various rumours about the West Wight birth rate for last year, ranging from “below 100″ down to the lowest that you’ve just quoted - 30. And no-one seems to know whether “West Wight” in this instance refers to Totland/Alum Bay, or all points west of Newport.

But apart from finding out the truth about the figures, two other points to consider:
1. School intakes are based not just on local birth rate but on movement in/out. In my child’s primary class, for instance, about a third of the children were not born on the Island but moved here from as far afield as Scotland because their parents fell in love with the Isle of Wight, and also loved the school and the surrounding area.
2. Though property prices on the Island have rocketed in the last few years, making it hard for first-time buyers and those with young children to get a foothold, who knows what will happen in the next few years? There are an awful lot of houses in rural areas (more than I had realised, having spent part of my weekend leafleting for Option 4) that are actually perfect “starter home” size. If house prices do come down, those may once more be more affordable to families. But they won’t appeal if all the schools have gone.

So we can’t be short-termist about this.

If I was marketing the Isle of Wight I would draw attention to our good primary schools, I would make a commitment to keeping them, I’d point out the beauty of the Island, its relaxed atmosphere, its low crime rate, its aim to become an eco-Island, and emphasise that it is a wonderful place to bring up a family. I moved here 10 years ago myself for that reason. What I wouldn’t do is try to destroy its good features.