Our concerns have not been answered, say Le Murier staff

While the specialist school is not part of the reorganisation, its co-location with St Sampson’s High means it would be impacted by that school’s expansion to take 1,400 pupils.

‘Discussions have been ongoing with the ESC, however as yet, no clear answers have been given to alleviate staff concerns,’ a statement by Le Murier staff said.

‘Given that improving educational outcomes is the primary objective for the proposed changes to the education system in Guernsey, the staff at Le Murier, like the majority of those in the other high schools, do not believe the ESC has done enough to satisfy concerns about the plans to implement the decision to create one 11-18 school on two sites.’

In a staff ballot out of the 67 staff at the school, 48 responded.

Of these, 97.9% voted in favour of supporting a proposed requete for delay because they felt that more time was needed to look into some of the concerns which have not been addressed for their students – all of whom share a site and sports facilities with St Sampson’s High School.

Their concern includes access to indoor sports facilities and whether that would be cut from current levels as these are not being expanded.

‘Will Le Murier students have the same number of hours use of the pool as they currently enjoy when there are additional students at Victor Hugo College?

‘The Le Murier curriculum ensures students have access for all students on a weekly basis which enables vital routines to be established for the whole year. Current proposals regarding how the new model will affect these routines are unclear.

‘Students with anxiety, ASD and hypersensitive disorders require quiet, low stimulation environments – can this be guaranteed when the numbers of students in each year group at Victor Hugo College is due to rise to over 300 students?’

Staff also say that co-located educational or social opportunities could be hampered by altering the timings at the new school.

They also have concerns about emergency access.

‘Have there been any discussions with the emergency services to ensure that they have access to Le Murier at all times during peak traffic flow and that access is not impeded in case of a medical emergency or a fire?’

Visitor parking is also an issue.

‘We have a large number of visiting professionals and peripatetic staff as well as parents that regularly need parking and current facilities do not meet demand.

‘Under the proposals outlined, the area designated as being available for visiting professionals is due to decrease by up to four parking spaces near the canteen.

‘Are our students expected to wait for medical appointments, physiotherapy, speech and language input and other meetings while the professionals seek somewhere else to park whilst maintaining adequate space for mini buses to drop off, turn and allow access for wheelchair tail lifts?’

The vast majority of teachers from La Mare de Carteret, Les Beaucamps, the Grammar and St Sampson’s have called for a delay to reconsider ESC’s proposals.