Union rep praises island's teachers and new building

ISLAND teachers are dedicated to their schools, according to a union representative.

The national president of teachers' union the NASUWT, Amanda Haehner, visited Guernsey yesterday to discuss issues facing the local education system.

Mrs Haehner was invited to the island as a guest at the union's AGM held in Herm last evening.

While in the island she met director of education Derek Neal and Education minister Carol Steere.

She was also given a tour of the new St Sampson's High and Le Murier schools and visited St Andrew's and St Sampson's primary schools.

'I've been very impressed with what I've seen,' she said.

'I was pleased by the things that have gone into the new building at Les Nicolles.

'The way it has been planned to ensure the provision for children with particular special needs and integrating them with pupils from the mainstream is very good. The attention to detail has been exemplary.'

She said that she has asked to return in the autumn, when the school is up and running.

Her visit also included a meeting with the local association's negotiation secretary, Caroline Bowker, and officers of the local union, who discussed a range of issues. This included licences for teachers and the organisation of the education system.

She visited the two primaries where she expressed her appreciation for the work that teachers in Guernsey are doing.

'I was very amazed with the quality of work the teachers and pupils were doing. What was particularly lovely was to see the pupils generally enjoying their lessons. Their behaviour was exemplary.'

She said that coming from London it seemed invaluable that the schools were at the hub of a community and that they appeared to have a lot of parental support.

'I come from a totally different background, but the teachers feel passionately about their schools.'

One thing that was evident from her visit, she said, was the dedication of Guernsey teachers to their schools.