Les Varendes High School to officially open tomorrow

The school replaces the Guernsey Grammar School, and means that all States-run secondary schools will now deliver a non-selective system of education.

Staff have been preparing for the change during the summer, and last week new signage – which was developed by a group of students from both the Grammar School and La Mare de Carteret High School during the previous academic year – was put in place across the site.

Students have also worked with staff to develop Les Varendes High School’s new uniform, which will be brought in next academic year.

Principal of Les Varendes High School and the Sixth Form Centre Kieran James said that the school was part of the way through a phased transition, with students at La Mare de Carteret moving across to Les Varendes in time for September 2025.

‘There is lots of work to do before then, however I am looking forward to welcoming all our students back into a new school for another year of learning.’

Current La Mare de Carteret principal Verona Tomlin will become principal of Les Varendes when Mr James takes on the role of principal of the separate Sixth Form Centre.

She said that working with students to create an identity for the new school had been an exciting process.

‘Seeing new signage go up at Les Varendes is a clear reminder of how far we have come. I can confidently say that we will be keeping the legacies of both the Grammar School and La Mare High at the forefront of our minds as we continue to develop the new school.

‘While I am looking forward to taking up my new role in the future, as secondary principals we are all working closely together as part of the secondary school partnership to align the curricula of our schools and make sure we all continue to strive for improvement.’