From Rob Faulkner, former head of pupil services:

After more than 20 years’ providing off-school-site alternative provision for youngsters who struggle in mainstream schools, WISE closed its doors for the last time on Friday, July 20.

The Workshop Initiative in Support of Education started life in a garage which served as a workshop at Cowes Youth Club, more than 20 years ago. It was started by John Wright, principal education welfare officer, to provide an alternative to exclusion from school for youngsters who found school a challenge and it was known as The Workshop.

John was keen youngsters remained engaged with education and recognised they needed extra support sometimes.

It closed briefly in 2002 while a more suitable site was found, as there were health and safety concerns at the garage. In the same year. it re-opened on Forest Road in a building adjacent to the Education Department storage facility. This was a brief stay as the council had earmarked the sale of the site, which is now owned by Sydenhams.

Cllr Jill Wareham was supportive in securing a new venue as part of the sale.

The Workshop moved to its current site on Dodnor industrial estate in 2004/5 and WISE was born and its remit extended, offering youngsters the opportunity to complete practical motor-vehicle studies, woodwork, art and ceramics. They could take City and Guilds exams (no longer in favour alongside GCSEs) and have a cup of tea at break with the staff.

Demand for places grew and a second workshop was opened in Sandown, as well as the acquisition of an overgrown allotment in Gunville.

Although there was some sceptism among allotment holders, they were quickly won over by the hard work of the students and the allotment project won a Wightlink award.

Financial difficulties led eventually to the Sandown Workshop and the allotment project closing, but the Workshop seemed secure until recently.

Hundreds of Island youngsters have been through the various doors of WISE.

One wonders what support will be available in the future for youngsters who find school challenging. Let Island schools, parents, children and young people hope that this closure is a considered and ‘wise’ decision.