More challenges to schools debate expected from Education bosses themselves

Friday 19 January 2018

After two days of debate, Express has been told an amendment is likely to be lodged offering a compromise between the two and three school models.

The Committee for Education, Sport and Culture was said to be discussing the planned amendment overnight with the compromise likely to include two 11- 16 schools and an 11-18 school. That could be built on the La Mare de Carteret site.

The compromise was first hinted at as the debate on the future model of secondary education neared the end of its second day. A vote is expected on Friday morning on the "alternative model" which focuses on two 11-18 schools. With that looking increasingly popular within the States ESC were said to be working on a plan to win back support for the three school model.

They are said to be considering two 11-16 schools with an 11-18 school, probably on the La Mare De Carteret site.

One decision which is unlikely to be made soon if the States vote for two 11-18 sites is where those schools will go. Successive staff and students at La Mare De Carteret High, and previously Secondary, and the primary school have been promised it will be rebuilt since the turn of the century. St Sampson's High and Les Beaucamps High were invested in first, with St Peter Port Secondary closing. Now it is likely La Mare De Carteret will be closed if the island ends up with two 11-18 schools and other facilities will be extended.

Deputy Mary Lowe said during the debate that would be a disgrace: "Both La Mare De Carteret Primary and High schools desperately need rebuilding. The list of problems with both the buildings goes on. And we know, or jolly well should know, these two schools have been delayed now for years and the alternative model are not even pushing for La Mare De Carteret High School to be rebuilt. I'm astonished at the lack of members asking about the primary schools. I've heard loads about 11-18 or post 16 but virtually zilch about the primary school children, who are a big part of this debate, or they jolly well should be.

"Nothing in the alternative model about where the primary school children will attend school under their proposals. This brings more worries to the parents and teaching staff, who many believed, once the Education, Sport and Culture report was published at least they had certainty. If the alternative model succeeds, the worry and unrest cannot be underestimated for those parents and teaching staff. 

"I've heard colleagues state that a new school doesn't improve education. A new school will only improve the building. That's certainly true to a certain extent but if only members had taken the trouble to visit La Mare De Carteret schools when in operation and see how students have the books under the tsble as four are sharing a table and it does not allow enough room for the reference books or files, hence all on the floor. Having a decent sized classroom will address this".

Meanwhile, the head of Les Beaucamps has had to confirm she has been lobbying deputies to try and persuade them to vote for the two school model.

Sophie Roughsedge sent a message to parents saying her trust had been broken after messages she sent to deputies had been leaked to the media.

The debate continues.

Main image: Guernsey's high schools and Grammar school (image taken from La Mare de Carteret website)