Blanchelande buys Les Vauxbelets

Friday 25 November 2022

Blanchelande College has agreed a ten-year, £1.4million deal to buy its current home at Les Vauxbelets in St Andrew's.

The Catholic school, initially for girls but now co-educational, has operated out of the former boys college at Les Vauxbelets since 1999.

Prior to that it had a temporary home at Rosaire Avenue, in what was once the Girls' Grammar School and is now housing. The Catholic school had started life at St Martin's where it was run by the Sisters of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary, and then the Sisters of Mercy until they left the island in 1992.

Principal, Robert O'Brien says the purchase of Les Vauxbelets means the school's future is now confirmed and plans for redeveloping parts of the estate, including to further sports provision, will now be easier.

Pictured: Robert O'Brien, Principal of Blanchelande College, outside the part of the school which houses his office, the reception area, pastoral care office, the school hall and some classrooms.

The estate has been purchased by The Blanchelande College Trust.

In a letter to parents of current pupils yesterday, the Trust said that the purchase of Les Vauxbelets means the development of the College can continue on the most sure footing possible. 

"Outwardly, for parents and students, the position remains as before with the site continuing to be used for the provision of education with a Catholic ethos by the College, except for those parts of the site used by commercial businesses.

"The provision of Catholic education, which plays so positive a part in the diversity of choice within Guernsey’s educational system, is at the very heart of the vision of both the Brothers and of The Blanchelande College Trust."

The Brothers refers to the former occupants and owners of Les Vauxbelets - the De La Salle Brothers.

The estate was formerly owned by the French province of the De La Salle Brothers, with whom the Trustees of Blanchelande College have been in negotiations to acquire ownership for some time. Since the College moved to Les Vauxbelets more than two decades ago, the De La Salle Brothers have rented the property to Blanchelande on condition of it being run as a Catholic school, and the Trustees have confirmed that this understanding applies to the running of the College in the future.

In their letter, the Trustees also reassured parents that the purchase is intended to facilitate future fundraising for investment.

"The purchase brings the strong benefits of permanence and of course will be a more sound basis for effective fundraising for the further improvement of our educational facilities. Parents, former students and other supporters of Blanchelande regularly make generous donations to enable improvements to the physical development of the estate, and they will now do so knowing that the College has the security of ownership."

Pictured: The historical links between the former Les Vauxbelets College and Blanchelande College are prominent on the school grounds.

The ten year payment agreement means the Trustees and the Brothers have agreed the future provision of Catholic education in the island is a priority, the Trustees said.

"Financially, the agreement has been carefully considered on both sides. The Brothers have agreed to receive payment over a ten-year period. We would like to acknowledge the commitment of the Brothers to securing the future of Blanchelande and to Catholic education on Guernsey."

The Vauxbelets estate is estimated to cover 40 acres and includes the original 18th century house Vauxbelets de Haut, Vauxbelets de Bas farm buildings, large early 20th century school buildings, extensive playing fields, additional outbuildings and agricultural land. 

Three commercial enterprises operate from the site; Martyn Guille's Clockmakers and Silversmiths, Valley Computers and leased farming land.

The Little Chapel is on a separate piece of land owned by the Little Chapel Foundation and is not connected with the school.