Extra training for school staff

Thursday 21 December 2023

All staff will be getting extra training ahead of the next school year starting to ensure they are ready to work to the new Code of Practice.

An additional inset day has been factored in for all States schools so staff have the time to learn about their new working practices, as well as undertaking some IT training.

Staff will spend some of their time on Wednesday 4 September 2024 training on the new policies in place to support students, particularly Learners with Additional Needs.

This new Code of Practice will fundamentally change, modernise and improve the approach to support in schools for children and young people with additional needs in line with the SEND (Special Education Needs and Disabilities) review.

ESC said it will also mark a significant, positive shift for learners with additional learning needs and a substantial step in the right direction for the island’s education landscape. The Code of Practice will be published once it has been formally agreed by the Committee.

Additionally, ESC said the rollout of the new Digital Roadmap will improve IT infrastructure across schools, and staff will be using some time on the day for training on new systems.

Pictured: Deputy Andrea Dudley Owen is the ESC President. 

Deputy Andrea Dudley-Owen, Committee for Education, Sport & Culture, said: “The new Code of Practice is a very positive step for education in Guernsey and
Alderney. It aligns with the first three priorities of the Education Strategy, which are to promote equity, safety and inclusivity by removing barriers to learning, to meets
the needs of our community by putting proper processes in place for learners with additional needs, and to deliver high quality learning by preparing the workforce to
deal with those additional needs.

“The Committee is very pleased to see the development of the Code of Practice progressing and it is important that staff receive full training on the new practices.
These mark a shift in the approach to supporting students with additional and special educational needs which is no small task and requires good advance planning
to ensure it happens in time for the next academic year.

“Equally, the new Digital Roadmap’s rollout will help with long-standing challenges with legacy IT in schools and give staff better digital support, which is much needed
and will support the learning of students across the education system. The Committee has agreed to this additional inset day on the basis that it allows for staff training on these two very important topics. We are always conscious that additional inset days can provide challenges for parents and carers, however I am hopeful that the community will both welcome the nine months’ notice we are providing and understand that these two positive steps for our schools and settings are worth the additional day.”

This additional inset day for staff training means the 2024 autumn term will now start for students on Thursday 5 September. 

All terms dates are published HERE.