Education has spoken to land owners near preferred school sites
LAND owners around Les Beaucamps and St Sampson’s High Schools have already been contacted as Education looks at ways to extend facilities at its preferred sites for the new school system.
Committee president Matt Fallaize read out a letter that had been sent to parents and staff outlining its plans at the end of yesterday’s States meeting.
Former committee president Paul Le Pelley and former vice-president Carl Meerveld both left the chamber before the statement was read. They have this week expressed concerns about the current committee’s model.
Deputy Fallaize was asked about whether the States had all the legal agreements it needed for the land it planned to use for the schools.
He said he was keen not to prejudice the States’ negotiating position but confirmed they had contacted land owners. He said both projects could be completed on the current sites.
‘However at both sites if we are able to obtain additional land, it would make it easier to provide some of the ancillary facilities,’ he said.
He said the feedback from land owners had been quite positive so far, but he could not say more. He did confirm that the States did not plan to make any compulsory purchases for the projects.
He stuck by his original position that the financial details for the project would not be revealed until next year, but he did say the committee was open to providing the details early to the Scrutiny Management Committee, once they were available.
Deputy Sarah Hansmann Rouxel queried whether there would be an autism centre at the schools.
Deputy Fallaize said they were still looking at the plans.
‘We will be driven by the best educational evidence,’ he said.
‘If that shows the best way of providing for special educational needs is to have centres in both of the colleges, that is what we will do.’
Two presentations have already been announced to give information about the project, but Deputy Fallaize said they were open to putting on more, if there was a demand.
Deputy Emilie Yerby raised concerns about whether there would be jobs for all the current teachers.
Deputy Fallaize said natural wastage meant teachers were leaving every year, and that meant they could reassure staff that they would have a job in future, if they wanted it.
Education reaction Pages 4 & 5
