ESC’s ‘well received’ claim on governors plan disputed
THE claim by Education, Sport & Culture’s that the establishment of new boards of governors for Guernsey Schools was ‘well received’ by the schools’ committees has been disputed by some members.
ESC unveiled its plans to revise the 1970 Education Law and bring in governance boards rather than the current school committees at a meeting on Tuesday night.
Tom Oliver, who has represented Vale Primary School for more than 20 years, said that he was unimpressed by the new plans.
‘This change would put too much pressure on the new governors,’ he said.
‘It is typical of States Education divorcing themselves from their responsibilities.’
ESC president Andrea Dudley-Owen had said that the new boards would give head teachers regular support and challenge needed, and was hopeful that present members of school committees would consider putting themselves forward for roles on the governance boards.
Mr Oliver said this was something he would not be doing and was not confident that the other representatives of Vale Primary would apply either.
‘The way everyone was talking they wouldn’t stand, and I don’t want that responsibility,’ he said.
‘The role is totally different. They [the new governors] would need a complete understanding of education. We give our time for free and the increase would make it like a full-time job. The increase in workload would be asking too much.’
Mr Oliver, who is also dean of St Sampson’s douzaine, was also annoyed that this change would be another matter removed from parish involvement.
‘There is no guarantee you would have anyone from the parish among the governors.’
A concern at the lack of parish representation was echoed by a number of committee members, including former Deputy Mary Lowe, who has been on various schools committees for the past 35 years and currently sits on La Mare de Carteret Primary and Hautes Capelles Primary committees.
She said she had mixed feelings regarding the proposals and was unsure if they were the best way forward.
‘While I agree change is needed, it isn’t as straightforward as it was made out to be in the meeting.’
She was disappointed with parts of the meeting, with few chances for questions.
As she understood it some new governors would be elected, while others would be appointed by ESC. The chairman would be paid, which she did not agree.
‘The clue is in the name volunteer. We’re already short of money, they should be doing it for the love of the community’.
Forest School committee member Roy Sarre described the response to the meeting as 'fairly guarded'.
He has been on the committee for six years. He intends to apply for a governor role, though he did not feel that the role was made particularly clear at the presentation.
‘I’ve ticked the box but only just,’ he said. ‘It was more of a case of convincing people to accept it rather than explain what will happen. At times it felt like a paint-over job.’
Members of Deputy Dudley-Owen’s family, who serve on schools’ committees, backed the proposals.
Her sister Deirdre, representing La Mare de Carteret High School committee, described the mood of the meeting as extremely positive,
Her mother and former deputy Gloria, who has been on La Houguette School committee for four years, said the proposals were well presented and she supported the changes.
‘The current structure is out of date and needs to be brought up to speed. This is the only way to go’
Former La Mare head teacher Jenny Tasker represents La Mare de Carteret and the Baubigny schools. She was unable to attend the meeting, but expressed concern at the changes, especially a lack of independent scrutiny.
‘The school committees represented the general public, and were able to oversee building maintenance and the behaviour of schools. How that will translate to the new structure is of great concern to me.’
n A consultation document is available at www.gov.gg/yourviews.
