Teachers will wait for requete result to decide next move

The union has responded to Education’s ‘one school on two sites’ approach, which is facing a serious challenge from those that want to see it paused and other options worked on.

A requete to achieve that will be debated by the States at the end of the month, but it has been criticised for not suggesting an alternative way forward, with some arguing the teacher unions should say what they want.

The NEU met on Monday evening at Castel School.

Mr McCann said it was well-attended, but could not divulge how many were there.

‘The meeting was to discuss our way forward,’ he said.

Spending on the current model to extend St Sampson’s and Les Beaucamps to take 1,400 pupils was agreed last September.

It is expected work on these sites will cost up to £78m.

But in recent weeks there has been a growing momentum against the plans from both the public and teachers.

Unions have said teachers’ suggestions were being ignored by Education, Sport & Culture.

Mr McCann said union members’ next move was likely to be dictated by what comes out of the requete debate.

‘The requete is going to happen and it will be interesting,’ he said.

‘We hope it has an effect so that the voices of educationalists will be listened to. Whichever model they choose going forward, it needs to be the best model for Guernsey’s young people.’

He said teachers had a list of requirements for the potentials schools, but would rather give feedback on suggested models, rather than draw up their own.

‘We really want to make sure they get it right,’ he said.

‘The requete is important. We will meet with members after that as soon as we can to discuss the outcome.’

. A public meeting is being held at the Grammar School tonight to discuss the current secondary school situation. It is being organised by the deputies, who are attempting stop current plans and make ESC look at other options. It starts at 7pm.