BESTIVAL curator Rob da Bank is among 4,000 people to have signed a petition supporting the Isle of Wight Studio School, which is under threat of closure. 

Today, the Isle of Wight Council said it did not have the power to save the school, which could close next year due to lack of demand.

Cabinet member for children's services, Paul Brading, said: "It's sad because it's a great idea, but the numbers haven't taken off.

"Inspire Academy Trust did try to get other trusts on the Island to take on the Studio School, but they weren't successful.

"If a local school wanted to take it on, we would support it."

He said the situation was different to that of Sandown Bay Academy where pupil intake was rising and the school was financially viable

Were the school to close, Cllr Brading said all prospective parents would be contacted by the council's admissions team and allocated an alternative school place.

Meanwhile, East Cowes councillor Karl Love has encouraged parents to write to the Department for Education and sign a petition to protect the school.

He said: "The council cannot sit on the fence and pretend it's nothing to do with them. It's not fair the council can run to help Sandown which was a failing school.East Cowes needs this school."

Bestival curator Rob da Bank has also voiced support for the school.

He said: "The one thing that I see every week on the Isle of Wight is need to feed young people's creativity and artistic endeavours — whether that's visual, musically or via technology, so its very worrying to hear the Studio School might need to close.

"This is exactly the kind of educational hub we need to make sure more young people either leave the island brimming with creative juice or hopefully stay here and inject some of it into the system here."

Parents Sharon Lake and Amy Lockwood started the Save the Studio School campaign after seeing the change in their children, who both attend.

They said: "This really is a very special school, the parent testimonials show that. This school is essential to our Island and should be supported and even seen as a flagship school."

There will be a public meeting on May 11, at 6.30pm, in East Cowes Town Hall  to discuss the school. 

During the listening period, which runs until 5pm on May 22, interested parties should e-mail their comments to DFE.IOWSS@education.gov.uk.