New education strategy will not be debated by the States

Friday 05 November 2021

A new "strategy" and "vision" for education will be substantially developed in the New Year, but there are no plans for it to be debated or approved by the States.

The work is being "led and developed" by staff at the Education Office and in education settings. It was referenced numerous times during States' debates on the future of secondary and post-16 education in July and September.

The education strategy will act as the guiding framework for the island’s whole education system. It will range from early years to post-16 education. But it will not be published as a single document.

“The priorities and commitments identified within the strategy are necessarily high-level, as you would expect any vision to be,” said Nick Hynes, who was recently appointed to the post of Director of Education by the Policy & Resources Committee. 

“However, we are very clear that the intention and purpose of the education strategy should be to have our children, young people and adult learners at the centre and ensure that as a result it delivers a tangible impact on the lives and outcomes of the community we serve.”

Pictured: “The key to the success of the strategy will lie in how all of us who work in education across the Bailiwick can work together,” said Nick Hynes, Director of Education.

The strategy is being developed with four priorities in mind: “Achieving equity, safety and inclusivity; meeting the needs of our community; delivering high-quality learning and excellent outcomes; and providing outstanding leadership and governance.”

Mr Hynes said there were no plans to take the strategy to the States' Assembly for debate or approval “as it is being led and developed by senior educationalists alongside settings-based staff" with the elected Committee for Education, Sport & Culture providing "oversight".

“This is an evolving piece of work that focuses on continual development and improvement," he said.

“We will, however, provide regular updates. We would expect our next update to be in the new year, when we will focus on the immediate priority areas for development.”

Mr Hynes said that States' members are kept informed of progress on the strategy through webinars and updates in the States' Assembly.