"Rushed" education plans rejected by parishes

Thursday 19 December 2019

Some parish Douzeniers and Constables are rejecting ESC's plans for the two new colleges, suggesting they have been rushed and asking whether the public really backs the committee's ideas.

A planning application to extend and refurbish the current St Sampson's and Les Beaucamps high schools was lodged earlier this month and, if it is approved, work could begin next year.

However, some parishes have voiced "major concerns" over the plans.

St Andrew's Douzaine is particularly worried about "outstanding building issues" at Les Beaucamps as well as the school's overall capacity.

"Beaucamps School currently has 475 pupils in a school designed to accommodate 600," a spokesperson for the Douzaine said. "Under the two-school system, there will be an expansion to 1,200 pupils!

"[The building issues] are substantial insignificance and quantity. A large number relate to water ingress and leakages. There remain defects in the sports hall cavity wall, which compromises drainage from within the cavity. Some electrical circuits are compromised by water ingress rendering the area unusable.

Pictured: The St Andrew's Douzaine room (image from standrews.org.gg).

"Surely it must be a priority to resolve these issues before embarking on additional highly disruptive building work. Appropriate funding, additional to the existing school budget, must be given to support this rectification."

The two schools will be converted into Victor Hugo and De Saumarez colleges under the new Lisia School model.

"I would not wish my grandchildren to be part of this experiment and have concern for the children of St Andrew's parish attending during the transition period," the spokesperson continued. "I suspect the merging of pupils from the other schools will present huge strains on the teaching staff at the same time as new facilities are built to accommodate them.

"I fear that children's education will be hindered during this transition period despite the best efforts of the teachers and all the support staff. This whole process has been too rushed."

 St Sampson's Douzenier, Leonie Le Tissier, was another to raise concerns about the plans and has taken to social media to voice her views. She is worried about the proposed traffic system at the Baugbiny site and the wider effects it could have.

There’s other points, such as cars being diverted along Oatlands Lane to come out at the Sauvagees/Route Militaire junction. It’s an absolute mess and scares me. I simply have to condemn these proposals. /4

— Leonie Le Tissier (@LeonieLeTissier) December 17, 2019

"I am horrified, simply horrified, after reading the TIA for Victor Hugo College," she said via Twitter. "Flabbergasted at ramifications for the junction at Oatlands even with proposed mitigation of a new lights system. Oatlands Centre simply cannot be a drop and stride zone.

Public feedback on the proposals is being welcomed until 23 January.

The full plans are available here.

Pictured top: Concerns have been raised over the proposed traffic system.