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Building work could start at Guernsey's two new 11-18 colleges within months as Education goes out to tenders to find construction firms able to do the work.
The construction work will involve repurposing a lot of the existing space and also building substantial extensions at the current St Sampson's and Les Beaucamps High schools.
Planning applications to turn those schools into Victor Hugo College and de Saumarez College respectively have been submitted already.
These next steps in Education, Sport & Culture's plan come after it was agreed they could have access to the next allowance of funding, meaning work could now start on-site in 2020.
Pictured: St Sampson's and Les Beaucamps High schools are being redeveloped into Victor Hugo College and de Saumarez College. ESC's plans were first agreed by the States in January 2018.
"We reached a major milestone in September when we obtained all the approvals necessary from the States in relation to the capital investment to develop Lisia School and its two Colleges – Victor Hugo and de Saumarez. Commencement of the planning application and tender process is another significant step," Deputy Matt Fallaize, ESC President, said.
"The Committee recognises the importance of communication and engagement with parents, teachers, students and local residents, in particular at this time of substantial change in education and is working with education officers to ensure greater focus on engagement in the months ahead."
Subject to planning approval, building work will start on-site in 2020, with a 'phased construction programme' that will reportedly allow the existing buildings to continue operating as schools during construction, while also allowing the colleges to be ready for use for the beginning of the 2022 academic year.
Pictured: To ensure that the transport management solutions are robust, they are based on forecasts of the maximum possible infrastructure demand around the two college sites, including the potential for new housing developments in St Sampson’s in the next few years.
As the colleges will accommodate more students than the current schools on those sites, ARUP was appointed to carry out a full Traffic Impact Assessment. This provides advice on transport management to support the redevelopment of both college sites, including active travel solutions. The planning application includes the results of the Traffic Impact Assessment.
Deputy Fallaize added: "There are some elements of the new model which are fixed. For example, secondary education being delivered in two 11-18 colleges and the footprint of the new buildings because these are determined by the budget limit already set by the States. However, many of the questions and issues raised by school staff and the teaching unions concern matters where final decisions are yet to be made.
"These include internal buildings space where final decisions are yet to be made. These include internal building space configuration, operational design and the curriculum model. I am thankful to school staff, the unions and school leaders for taking the time to discuss their views and look forward to more discussion before anything is finalised."
Pictured top: Deputy Matt Fallaize.
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