Teachers gave pupils ribbons to oppose plans

Wednesday 29 January 2020

Teachers at St Sampson's High School are reported to have been supplying pupils with green ribbons to support protests against the one-school education plans.

Green ribbons have been disseminated by those campaigning for a pause to Education's one-school proposals.

Express understands that teachers at the school - who penned a letter opposing the one-school plans by a large majority - have been handing out the ribbons to pupils.

Ed Ashton, Director of Operations, Social Security, Education & Inclusion, said the matter has been reported and is being looked into. 

“We were made aware of this and have liaised with the St Sampson’s High Headteacher to determine the circumstances," he said. "It was reported that students had been supplied with green ribbons and these were displayed throughout the school.

"While all staff and students are very much free to make their opinions known on any issue, it would be inappropriate for staff to engage with students in a manner such as has been reported. Where any member of staff has done so, we will make that point clear."

Pictured: Staff at St Sampson's High school have called for "pause and reflection on the current proposals", as they risk "playing with the future of many of the young people."

95.6% of staff currently employed at St Sampson's High signed an open letter last week tearing into the planned transformation of secondary and post-16 education.

That equates to 88 people - currently working as teachers, support staff and other professionals - at the school which is earmarked to be expanded and rebranded as Victor Hugo College once the Lisia School model is fully implemented

They have since been joined by staff at the other States secondary schools, who have called for politicians to support a requete calling for a one-year delay in order to review alternative non-selective models.