Guernsey Press

Delaying schools decision could damage economy, Le Pelley says

WHAT is happening to Alderney’s economy today could be happening in Guernsey tomorrow if the island does not move ahead with secondary school changes, Education president Paul Le Pelley has warned.

Published
Education, Sport & Culture members, left to right, deputies John Gollop, Neil Inder, Andrea Dudley-Owen and president Paul Le Pelley at the public meeting on the committee’s secondary school proposals. (Picture by Juliet Pouteaux, 20383964)

Around 150 people attended a meeting at Beau Sejour at which islanders had a chance to hear about Education, Sport & Culture’s plans for three 11-16 secondary schools and a single sixth form college for all full-time students. It also gave parents a chance to ask questions.

Deputy Le Pelley was joined on the top table by fellow Education members Andrea-Dudley-Owen, John Gollop and Neil Inder, as well as deputy director Helen Grand and interim chief secretary Malcolm Nutley. They faced a range of questions from parents as well as teachers.

Some parents were worried about the transition between the current and proposed system, but they were reassured that school cohorts would be kept together and would be on the same site for at least two years without being moved.