The 'gang of four' will now lead ESC

Wednesday 07 February 2018

The four deputies who successfully won support for a two-school model of secondary education have all been elected to the Committee for Education, Sport and Culture today, along with Deputy Peter Roffey.

The five will now lead the changes planned to secondary education which will revolve around creating one school for 11-18 year olds across two sites.

Deputy Matt Fallaize was elected President of the Committee for ESC after defeating Deputy Carl Meerveld by 23 votes to 17 in a two way vote for the role.

Deputy Fallaize then saw off a nomination for Deputy Lester Queripel to win a committee role, with deputies Mark Dorey, Richard Graham, Rhian Tooley and Peter Roffey all elected.

The debate focused on education but questions were asked about the importance of sport and culture. It was suggested the committee be split so education and sport and culture could be run by two separate teams but Deputy Fallaize said that was not necessary.

Speaking ahead of the election, Deputy Fallaize told Express:

"We are eager for the opportunity to lead the further development and then the implementation of the secondary and post-16 policy. Indeed, having carried the argument in the States three weeks ago, we recognise that we have a duty to step up to lead this work.

"We also believe we can make a positive contribution to the other areas of the committee's mandate, including sport and culture."

Also speaking to Express previously, Deputy Gavin St Pier, the President of the Policy and Resources Committee, said it is time for the States to focus on supporting the new committee as it works to drive forward the changes the States have already agreed to make to secondary education:

"The Policy & Resources Committee is unanimously supporting Deputy Fallaize as the next President of the Committee for Education, Sport & Culture.

"Whichever States Members form the new Committee, it is important that they receive the full backing of the States as they seek to deliver the new model of secondary education agreed by the Assembly last month."