Outline plans for institute ‘ready for late summer’
IT IS hoped that outline plans for the new Guernsey Institute will be ready by late summer, said the new educational organisation’s executive principal.
Jacki Hughes said that if all goes well, the team is hoping that the new buildings will be ready for September 2024.
Education, Sport & Culture has announced that it intended to appoint Design Engine Architects as lead designer for the contract, with local firm Tyrrell Dowinton Associates providing local support.
The institute will be housed in buildings at the site of the old St Peter Port Secondary School and will incorporate the College of Further Education, the GTA University Centre and the Institute of Health & Social Care Studies.
Mrs Hughes said that the institute already exists on paper and the team is being built.
‘Our people are our most valuable resource and it is really important they help shape this development,’ she said.
As well as herself, the team includes the heads of the three organisations – Louise Misselke (GCFE) Simon Le Tocq (GTA) and Tracey McClean (IHSCS) – plus programme manager Ian Hackeson.
This team holds weekly meetings to maintain the project’s momentum, as well as looking at increasing the number of higher education projects available in the island for those who are concerned about leaving.
Every six weeks Mrs Hughes said there are ‘together as one’ events when all the staff meet and are updated on developments and have the chance to learn more about the three organisations and their staff.
There is a weekly newsletter which keeps everyone informed, ‘but also to allow us a chance to show our personalities and get to know each other better,’ she said.
‘We are working with all our stakeholder groups and this is a two-way process. We keep them informed about our plans and progress and we use their knowledge to help us shape what TGI will be in the future, to make sure we meet the needs of our employers and wider community.
‘Our stakeholders were essential in the development of our mission and vision statements.’
While hoping that the outline plans are ready by late summer, Mrs Hughes said that the work involved was not easy.
‘Designing an environment for technical, vocational and professional learning is complex. It needs to meet the needs of a wide group of users and create amazing teaching spaces to inspire learning.’
A formal name change is being worked on, she said, and agreements needed to be put in place such as with awarding organisations and this takes time: ‘But we do feel we belong to the Guernsey Institute.’
While there have been several challenges, including the pandemic, Mrs Hughes said progress was being made. ‘The appointment of our architect team is a real step forward.
