La Mare parents say large schools will worsen bullying
FEARS of a rise in bullying and bad behaviour, as well as traffic problems in and around the proposed new schools, have been expressed by parents of youngsters currently at La Mare de Carteret High.
The PTA said it was disappointed and concerned that the views of young people, parents and teachers were not sought before the States adopted the two-school, 11-18 model of secondary education.
As a result, students at the school have taken the initiative of expressing their opinions and starting petitions.
The PTA said it was proud of their actions. ‘We support their views wholeheartedly,’ it said in a statement.
It expressed several specific concerns over the proposals, including worries of an increase in bullying and poor behaviour. ‘The size of the proposed school, which is in effect one school on two sites, will not provide robust systems and safety nets for our young people,’ it said.
Then there is the impact on the roads both around the new schools and further afield. ‘Amalgamating four schools onto two sites will lead to increased morning traffic with working parents converging to deliver their children from across the island and then making their way to work.’
Full story in today's Guernsey Press
