Education members clam up over three schools proposals

Committee president Deputy Andrea Dudley-Owen has conducted interviews on the policy letter to be debated by the States in July, and she was joined at two public meetings by vice-president Bob Murray, who addressed a number of questions from the public.

But Deputy Murray and fellow committee members Sam Haskins and Sue Aldwell all said they would not be interviewed by reporters and instead issued the same individual statement.

‘As a member of the committee for Education, Sport & Culture, I of course fully support the propositions in our policy letter,’ they said.

‘With regard to the developments with Deputy [Andy] Cameron, I would fully endorse the committee statement issued.’

Deputy Cameron, also a member of ESC, issued a statement on his opposition to the plans last week and then followed ESC’s response with a post on Facebook. But he also would not be interviewed.

In the run-up to October’s election all four were clear for their support on three 11-16 schools with a separate sixth form.

‘I believe this to be the most efficient and cost-effective choice,’ Deputy Cameron said.

Deputy Murray said that the two-schools plan, subject to the ‘Pause and Review’ vote, was ‘not fit for purpose’.

Deputy Aldwell had experience of fighting the that plan, as a Torteval constable she stood with the constables of St Andrew’s, St Martin’s and the Forest with the full backing of their respective douzaines. She previously served on the La Mare de Carteret School Committee for three years. ‘I understand how important it is to take the view of all stakeholders,’ she said.

Deputy Haskins said: ‘We need to urgently solve the pending issue with the schools. Our children are our future – we have the responsibility to make sure they have the brightest possible future.’