Alderney school set to be first given the powers to self-govern
ST ANNE'S SCHOOL in Alderney could have control over its own budget, curriculum and recruitment from next January.
The school has been selected to be the first in the Bailiwick to have the bulk of its responsibilities devolved to a local governing body.
The school will be run by head teacher Martin Winward, overseen by a local board, which will in turn be overseen by the Education board in Guernsey.
Mr Winward said the move could only be good for St Anne's.
'I welcome it because it will give us the autonomy to respond to local need and changes as they occur,' he said.
'I will be able to put staff into settings that are best for St Anne's and not necessarily what is prescribed from Guernsey. With changing cohort size, we need to adapt to rapid change and sometimes this can mean a re-timetable of staff commitments mid-year.'
He said that having a local governing body – compared with the school management committee that currently exists and has limited responsibilities – would make everyone involved with St Anne's more accountable.
'An elected governing body will hold me to account for raising standards and I will in turn work with teachers to improve that,' he said.
'We are all from the community and want the best for our young people – this can only be a positive move for St Anne's.'
