‘School is letting our children down’
ST SAMPSON’S High School is fundamentally letting down its pupils, a group of parents have told the Guernsey Press.
The group, who did not wish to be named, they said to protect their children from any repercussions, said staffing issues were affecting the school, particularly its senior pupils.
They are deeply concerned about the prospects for their children, all in Year 11 and due to take their GCSE exams next summer.
‘At least one day this week all the teachers for my child’s lessons were temporary, with little or no knowledge of the subject they were covering,’ said one parent.
‘We are currently on our fourth English teacher, with another new one starting next month.
‘Most of the science teachers are temporary, with very little being learned in these lessons. How are they supposed to learn anything with the constant changes?’
The school received a damning Ofsted report this summer, which reported issues with poor attendance and bullying, as well as disrespect for teachers, and the Education, Sport & Culture had a number of measures planned to improve matters, including the appointment of more senior staff.
Secondary School Partnership executive principal Liz Coffey said she understood that parents had concerns over staffing.
‘That is something that parents legitimately have the right to ask questions about,’ she said.
‘I would want to reassure them that we will be trying to do everything we can to ensure that the impact on those young people, as they lead up to final examinations, will be minimised. I would encourage them to continue to talk to the school and if they feel they are not communicating adequately with them, then please escalate this concern through the Education office. I’m happy to hear from parents if they genuinely feel that their school has not responded appropriately to them.’
National Education Union representative Paul Montague admitted that the high turnover of teachers would have a detrimental effect on pupils.
And all the parents were particularly frustrated with a lack of communication from the school.
‘Contact from the school has been non-existent,’ another parent said.
‘We leave messages to speak to the head teacher and heads of department, but can go days before anyone gets back to us. My partner has taken to hanging around reception just so she can get some response.
‘We have complained to ESC, and spoken to Nick Hynes [director of Education] and Clare Sealy [head of education improvement] but get the same response – “we are aware of the issue and trying to sort it out”.
‘It doesn’t seem to be a States priority.’
