Annual report shows the highs and lows of education
GUERNSEY’S first education strategy annual report has been published, detailing where schools are succeeding and highlighting what improvements are needed.
Areas of education were marked on a scale of one to 10 in the 72-page report.
Across the 16 graded areas, most were classed as five or six, meaning there was evidence of positive impact, but further development was needed.
Three categories scored a seven – safeguarding, transparency and reporting on the quality of education.
But two categories scored fours – early intervention and empowering leaders.
In regards to early intervention, the report stated that training for education development officers for schools was taking place. They would visit schools to ensure pupils were getting quality provision.
‘We know that our outcomes need to improve and class practice, which prioritises early intervention, will support this in the long term,’ the report stated.
Education teacher development videos, featuring local staff, are also being developed for critical areas, like phonics.
In terms of leadership, the strategy report proposes encouraging leaders to understand the impact of the strategy network in education establishments.
‘We hope to see members of the network being promoted into senior leadership positions in our education system and we know that some members have already made this step.’
The report said Education also aimed to have appropriate appraisals and time with line managers.
Director of Education Nick Hynes said the strategy would help the organisation to move forward.
‘We know that there are great and exciting things happening across many areas of education at the moment and there is much to be proud of, but there are also existing challenges and things we know we need to do better,’ he said.
‘We know we are not quite where we would like to be just yet and this report is a transparent and honest appraisal of the progress we believe we have made against the priorities and commitments within our strategy so far.’
He said that he was confident an aspirational and excellent education system could be delivered for Guernsey and Alderney.
ESC Committee president Deputy Andrea Dudley-Owen said the document would help islanders understand where local education was heading.
‘I need to openly say that it will take us time to get the education system to where we need it to be, but we are striving together towards that goal,’ she said.
The full annual report is available at https://www.gov.gg/educationstrategy.
