Pro 11-18 schools deputy calls on ESC to stop being stubborn

The current Assembly has rejected several proposals to retain at least one 11-18 school in the States sector and has instead backed ESC’s wish to separate sixth form studies from secondary schools.

But Aidan Matthews is making a renewed attempt to persuade ESC to keep the Sixth Form Centre at Les Varendes, the former Grammar School, following the States’ decision last week to defer a long-term plan to move the sixth form to Les Ozouets until 2029 at the earliest.

‘The only reason ESC wants to move the sixth form to La Mare is to have a separate sixth form,’ said Deputy Matthews.

‘It has become a vanity project where what is wanted by all those involved is to have a stone put up saying “look at my achievement”.

‘It is harmful, especially when we want to be promoting the island as a good place to live.’

Deputy Matthews called a requete ‘a last resort when all else has failed’ but confirmed he would consider submitting one to the States if ESC did not back down and present at least an alternative interim plan to avoid moving the Sixth Form Centre twice.

‘A requete to keep the sixth form at Les Varendes is one option for me if ESC does not change its plans. I know that I won’t be alone,’ he said.

‘I’m not gathering signatures right now, but I may if ESC does not stop being so stubborn.’

The States currently provides secondary education in one 11-18 school and three 11-16 schools. In 2021, deputies agreed that from the earliest date practicable it should be re-organised into three 11-16 schools and a separate sixth form centre on a different site.

At that time, Deputy Matthews argued unsuccessfully for three 11-18 schools, each with sixth forms, and since then has been part of a group of members trying to retain at least one 11-18 school in the States sector.

‘Certainly three 11-18 sites with sixth forms also at Les Beaucamps and St Sampson’s is an option, but that’s for the long term,’ he said.

Since being elected in October 2020, a majority of ESC members have consistently told the States that it would be more costly to retain the Sixth Form Centre at Les Varendes over the next few years than to relocate it to La Mare de Carteret, which is due to close as a secondary school in July next year.

Andy Cameron has been a minority voice on the committee arguing for the continuation of a sixth form at Les Varendes.

‘Deputy Cameron and I are on a similar page with regard to the long-term future of sixth forms,’ said Deputy Matthews.