Education slams PTA in letter to its staff

EDUCATION has hit out at the St Andrew's School PTA's campaign to keep it open in a letter sent to department staff.

A copy of it has been obtained by the Guernsey Press, but some believe it paints a confusing picture when compared to statements in the States report in which the department recommends the school stays open.

The PTA has been warning about the effect on other schools if St Andrew's were to be closed.

In the letter, Education said: 'The department would not seek to transfer existing pupils between schools and following the trend of reducing pupil numbers it may well be the case that pupils could be absorbed into other schools without the need to redraw catchment areas - as indicated in the States report.

'If there was a need to redraw catchment areas this would take time and the department does not see this as a possibility for the foreseeable future.'

But this does not sit easily with the conclusion of its report before the States, according to Deputy Jane Stephens.

'There is clear reference in the policy letter to the need to redraw the catchment areas of the Castel, Forest and St Martin's, Forest schools and La Houguette, Vauvert and La Mare de Carteret primaries will all be affected if schools close,' she said.