Attempt to save La Mare High fails
AN ATTEMPT to save La Mare de Carteret High School from closure was defeated by 22 votes to 14, coincidentally on the anniversary of its opening in 1974.
Deputy Marc Leadbeater led the proposal, which called for a campus-style extension of the site. This would have expanded it to accommodate a six-form entry secondary school. The plan also retained the Sixth Form Centre at Les Varendes. It was formally seconded by Deputy David De Lisle, who argued that it would avoid larger class sizes, prevent the rebuild of the Sixth Form Centre and would save a successful secondary school from closure. He also quoted Education, Sport & Culture president Andrea Dudley-Owen’s comments when arguing for a pause and review last term, when she said that not rebuilding La Mare de Carteret would adversely affect some of the least affluent families because of the school’s proximity to Les Genats estate.
With the failure of the amendment, proposals by ESC to locate three 11-16 schools at Les Varendes, Les Beaucamps and St Sampson’s carried through to general debate with no options remaining that would prevent La Mare from being closed.
The amendment found support from Deputy John Gollop, who said that if a previous promise to rebuild the school had been fulfilled, then this week would have seen the grand opening of the refurbished facility.
Deputy Simon Fairclough urged members to back Deputy Leadbeater’s plan, highlighting the intangible benefit of the sense of community engendered by the school.
Among the majority of deputies who spoke against the amendment was Policy & Resources president Peter Ferbrache.
‘Really, all the La Mare building is fit for is knocking down,’ he said. ‘If you’re going to have a long-term school there beyond the next two or three years, you’re going to have to rebuild it. That’s going to cost many millions that we don’t have.’
ESC president Andrea Dudley-Owen attempted to reassure members that ‘change management for students and staff is key’ and she committed to providing regular updates throughout the period of transition, following any closure. In response to other concerns about losing a successful school with a strong sense of community, she said: ‘Let’s bottle the magic that’s in La Mare de Carteret and share it. The ethos that we want to instil in our system is about partnership.’
HOW THEY VOTED:
For, 14: Deputies Brouard, Burford, Bury, Cameron, De Lisle, De Sausmarez, Fairclough, Falla, Gollop, Leadbeater, Matthews, Oliver, St Pier, Trott.
Against, 22: Deputies Aldwell, Blin, Dudley-Owen, Dyke, Ferbrache, Gabriel, Haskins, Helyar, Inder, Kazantseva-Miller, Le Tocq, Mahoney, McKenna, Meerveld, Moakes, Murray, Prow, Queripel, Roffey, Soulsby, Taylor, Vermeulen,
Abstained: Deputy Parkinson, Alderney representatives Roberts and Snowdon.
