Teachers’ union offers to help out in schools’ review

Eduction, Sport & Culture has been instructed to pause its secondary school plans and review them.

Acting general secretary of the NASUWT, Chris Keates, said it was ready to work with committees and States members on the review.

‘The NASUWT is pleased that States members have listened to the concerns of our members over the transformation plans and recognised that there are serious issues with the current proposals which need to be addressed.’

That view was echoed by another union, Prospect, which represents support staff in schools.

Stephen Langford, from the union, welcomed the States decision to pause and review because it aligned with what the majority of members had asked for.

‘We look forward to discussing with Education, Sport & Culture how they propose to carry out the instructions of the States, and to working with ESC and the other unions involved to ensure that the views and opinions of school staff are taken fully into account in determining how secondary education can best be delivered in the island.’

So far there has been no political demand for the resignations of the five members of ESC.

The signatories to the ‘pause and review’ requete have instead been extending the olive branch to the committee.

Deputy Carl Meerveld said he was absolutely not calling for resignations and he commended the committee for its dedication in defending the one-school, two-sites model.

‘The two-school model is not dead. It is not a done deal by any stretch of the imagination,’ he said.

‘I have said right from the start that the two-school model is not practical, and I suspect it will fall away under the review.’

Another requete signatory, Deputy John Gollop, was also in a conciliatory mood.

‘I thoroughly endorse Deputy Dudley-Owen’s perspectives such as looking for healing and the empathy she feels for fellow parents with children caught up in the political crossfire and the need maybe to offer professional detachment,’ he said.

‘Although I would have to say ESC contributed to the crisis by not negotiating more with public and stakeholders on balance, I would prefer them to remain in office until the summer to give continuity with no induction and leadership as the political team is very able and knowledgeable about the detailed issues.’

ESC president Deputy Matt Fallaize and requete leader Deputy Dudley-Owen have both indicated that they are ready to make peace.

Her requete was won by 18 votes to 17, which was a shift from September when deputies voted 22-15 to give financial backing to the two-college model.

The landscape changed because Deputies Jeremy Smithies, Lyndon Trott and Chris Green switched to the ‘pause and review’ side.

In September, Deputies Victoria Oliver, Joe Mooney and Charles Parkinson were absent from the vote.

This time they were present and Deputies Oliver and Mooney voted to pause and review while Deputy Parkinson abstained.

The two Alderney representatives supported the two-school model last time, but this time were absent.