Education’s announcement ‘untimely and insensitive’
STAFF at La Mare de Carteret High School have described the announcement on the recommended closure of the school as ‘insensitive, untimely and disrespectful’.
The staff group met yesterday evening and issued a statement afterwards, which strongly criticised the way Education, Sport & Culture had communicated the news on Friday that the school was earmarked for closure.
The statement outlined failures by ESC and its executive leadership team to provide any formal representation on Friday, leaving staff with unanswered questions, and the inability to offer proper support and advice to students, parents and carers.
‘The timing was particularly insensitive given that our primary feeder schools are currently in the midst of the Year 6 to Year 7 transition process, leaving prospective students and their families with a great level of uncertainty as to their future in September and beyond.
‘The ESC and the executive leadership team are yet to provide any support or answers to support the LMDC community.
‘It was insensitive, untimely and disrespectful to the staff, student body and wider LMDC High community.’
Staff said they were also concerned the ‘lack of regard’ for employees and the student body could be indicative of future decisions and communication.
The National Education Union has also described ESC’s handling of communications as being ‘at best insensitive’.
The decision to recommend the closure of La Mare de Carteret was not unexpected, but it was received with great sadness by the union.
A spokesman for the NEU wanted to hear details about job security and how the transition for staff and pupils would take effect.
‘What is far more surprising, disappointing and hugely concerning, is that ESC seem content to label the consequences of their decision as “operational”, thereby effectively passing the blame to P&R [Policy & Resources] for a failure to engage with key stakeholders about the transition arrangements for both pupils and staff.
‘Despite repeated requests for reassurance around the willingness of the States to abide by agreed procedures, NEU and other reps have yet to receive that commitment.
‘Consequently, the uncertainty injected into the whole process by “pause and review” has now translated into entirely understandable worries about job security for those involved at the sharp end, and especially for those at LMDC High.’
The three proposed sites for the 11-16 schools are Les Beaucamps, St Sampson’s and Les Varendes.
In comparison with Les Varendes, ESC found that it would cost £30m. more to upgrade La Mare de Carteret High.
