Teachers ‘surprised’ to read of Education’s new policies

The local secretary of one teaching union has expressed her surprise at the recent announcement of two new initiatives, which Education president Matt Fallaize put his name to.

The first was a new behavioural policy which will provide schools with additional guidance and support in their efforts to ensure students’ behaviour is of the highest standard.

The other was a policy to help stretch high-attaining students and support low-attaining ones.

Connie Armstrong, division secretary for the Guernsey branch of the National Education Union, said: ‘It is our understanding that all schools have behaviour policies already so we were a little surprised to read in the Guernsey Press that these initiatives were being introduced.

‘We are generally happy with progress in schools, but we have very innovative jobs so are always striving for better.’

Although she recognised the initiatives were coming from a good place, she said the lack of communication between the States and teachers and support staff was regrettable.

All secondary school teachers on the island have been told that their jobs are secure under the transformation plans, but support staff have not been given the same information.

Mrs Armstrong said many management roles have not received promises of security either.

‘Some people might have a big drop in their salary if they don’t retain certain managerial roles.

‘In some cases this could mean they might not be able to afford to live here and so might leave.’

She said the four caretakers at the current secondary schools are an example of this.

They have not been given enough security as established staff members despite the move from four schools to two.

Education has acted on union concerns, expressed in a letter to Deputy Fallaize, calling for the setting up of a group made up of representatives from the unions, a teacher and support staff member from each school and executive head teacher for secondary schools, Liz Coffey.

Mrs Armstrong said: ‘We’re about to have our first group meeting, which is a positive step because until now communication [between the States and teachers] has been a bit scant.’

Nurse Melanie Hogan lives with a teacher in Guernsey and said she was surprised a behaviour policy was not already in place because it promotes a positive learning environment for the children.

She did not agree with the idea of separating children in a class from those who are high-achievers and those who needed more support.

‘In the UK they have one-to-one learning support, I think separating students signals to them that some are better than others.

‘The policies sound good, but should be something schools have been doing in the past anyway.’