Education wants new La Mare Primary School

The announcement comes as it continues a review of the primary sector and no comment was made about the future of other schools.

It is anticipated that the committee will report to the States in 2019 on its future capital programme and that these proposals will include a purpose-built La Mare Primary as a two-form entry school.

‘Since being elected earlier this year the committee has been clear that if primary education is to continue at La Mare de Carteret then it must be in a new purpose-built school because the condition of the present school building is simply not up to a suitable standard,’ said Education, Sport & Culture president Matt Fallaize.

‘All of the options for primary education which the committee is prepared to take forward include maintaining primary education on that site.

‘The school community at La Mare de Carteret is eager to know the committee’s position on its future and we are very pleased to confirm that during 2019 we will seek the approval of the States to redevelop the primary school as soon as resources allow.

‘Having made this decision the committee felt it was only right to announce its position as soon as possible.

‘In January, the States were presented with proposals to delay making a decision on the future of La Mare de Carteret Primary School until 2021 at the earliest.

‘The new committee believes this delay is unnecessary and intends to ask the present Assembly to approve the redevelopment.

‘I think it is important to clarify that the committee’s decision on the future of primary education at La Mare de Carteret is a completely separate matter to the future sites for secondary and post-16 education.

‘No inference should be drawn about the future sites for secondary and post-16 education from this announcement about primary education.

‘As previously stated, the committee is considering which two sites to use for secondary and post-16 education and will make an announcement on this before the October half term this year.’

The cost of redeveloping La Mare Primary has previously been estimated at around £20m.

Head teacher Kim Hutchison said: ‘I am absolutely delighted that the committee recognises the need to expedite the rebuild of La Mare de Carteret Primary.

‘Despite excellent teaching, our buildings are simply not delivering the quality learning environments that the whole school community is entitled to.

‘This is a step in the right direction towards achieving a purpose built building that will enable our teaching and learning to achieve the educational demands of the 21st century.’