Last year, David Hoare, then chairman of Ofsted, described the Isle of wight as a 'poor, white ghetto where there has been inbreeding'. His comments sparked outrage, which led to his resignation shortly thereafter. But Mr Hoare's description is stirring something other than anger on the island. The words still echo around the council chamber, spurring a determination to be the best. 

Because in truth the council has failed children for some time. In December 2012, Ofsted branded the island's children's social care services inadequate. Shortly after the island's school improvement services were deemed ineffective.

‘The picture in early 2013 was of the full range of children’s services not being delivered effectively,’ says Steve Crocker, Hampshire CC’s director of children’s services, who has been overseeing the island’s services for four years.