Deputy questions independence of "impartial" reviewer

Monday 31 August 2020

A Member of the Education, Sport & Culture Committee has responded after an opponent of the one school, two colleges model questioned the appointment of a consultancy firm brought in as an "independent" overseer of the 'pause and review'.

Three independent professionals have been brought in by ESC to oversee the review of secondary and post-16 education – however one Deputy has raised questions over the technical expert’s links to the committee.

The terms of reference for the pause and review of ESC's one-school, two colleges transformation plan stated that three independent roles would be created to oversee various aspects of the work.  

One of the independent voices is that of Peter Marsh Consulting Ltd. They were the consultants who designed the 1 school on 2 sites model for ESC. I have to ask: how independent can they be? https://t.co/Ks2Ac0UG4L https://t.co/Kox6Y2yjsd

— Andrea D-O (@PourchetRouge) August 28, 2020

The committee announced that these roles will be filled by:

• Advocate Peter Harwood, who was formerly Chief Minister and who is currently a member of the Scrutiny Management Committee, as the independent overseer; 

• Phil Eyre, Founder of Leaders Consultancy and Managing Director of The Learning Company, as the independent facilitator; 

• Peter Marsh Consulting as the independent specialist in education. 

However, Deputy Andrea-Dudley Owen, who led the calls for a pause and review, has voiced concerns about the independence of Peter Marsh Consulting, whose job is “to verify the technical analysis of models and ensure the work is robust, accurate and comprehensive.”

"One of the independent voices is that of Peter Marsh Consulting Ltd," she said. "They were the consultants who designed the one-school on two sites model for ESC. I have to ask: how independent can they be?"

ESC Committee Member Rhian Tooley replied to the post, saying she was "glad for the opportunity to clarify" Deputy Dudley-Owen's comments. 

"PMC were involved only after the States had decided to move to the 1 school 2 sites model. They did NOT design the model," she tweeted.

"They are however familiar with the entire estate and in time of Covid that’s a narrow group of expertise. Hope that helps."

Pictured: Advocate Peter Harwood said he was pleased to volunteer his services to the pause and review: "It is in everyone’s best interest for the current review of secondary education models to be completed with absolute impartiality by those involved and with transparency so that key stakeholders are reassured about the consultation process".

ESC said the creation of these independent roles have been discussed during regular meetings between the Committee and union representatives.

“I’m delighted with the appointments to these important roles,” said Committee President Matt Fallaize. “Peter, Phil and Peter are respected as people of quality and integrity and they bring considerable independence to the review exactly as we pledged from the outset.

“I thank union colleagues for the productive conversations we have had about how best to fill these roles – in particular the independent oversight role. These roles are important to secure the trust and confidence of stakeholders that the review is fair and objective.”

Pictured top: Former ESC Committee Member Deputy Andrea-Dudley Owen led the calls for a pause and review of the transformation of education.