They were due to be installed in the autumn, but the Education Committee has scrapped the plan, saying it would save £136,000 and allow it to keep options open while reconsidering how and where to provide A-level studies in the future.
Foundations for a Sixth Form Centre at Les Ozouets, which then had an estimated cost of £1m., were approved by the States in 2024, but deputies appeared relaxed yesterday when Education, Sport & Culture president Paul Montague told the Assembly that his committee had decided not to go ahead without seeking a fresh States resolution.
‘The committee has informed Policy & Resources of its intention to remove this element from phase one at Les Ozouets,’ he said.
‘First, having one contractor install foundations that may later be built on by another introduces unnecessary risk. Second, phase two timelines would leave foundations exposed to the elements for longer than is advisable, creating further risk. Third, the originally envisaged foundation methodology has since been revised.
‘Together, these factors make delaying installation the prudent course of action.’
The Guernsey Press reported earlier this week that ESC believes it will soon have made enough progress on its review of options to announce how it will move beyond the temporary sixth form set-up at the former La Mare de Carteret High School.
Deputy Montague insisted that Education’s decision did not sound the death knell for the previous committee’s vision of a Sixth Form Centre forming part of a post-16 campus at Les Ozouets. However, that scheme is understood to have limited political support within the Education and P&R committees, and the estimated cost has soared towards £50m.
Meanwhile, construction of the Guernsey Institute at Les Ozouets, approved two years ago with an estimated budget of £75m., was said to be going well, with the steel frame of the main building and the apprentices’ block progressing.
‘Despite recent poor weather, our contractor Rok Limited advises that timelines remain on track for a summer 2027 opening, and the project forecasts delivery within budget,’ said Deputy Montague.
The Guernsey Institute brings together three previously separate providers of further and higher education.
Deputy Montague said that staff reorganisation and integration was progressing well.
‘Initial consultation on the new staffing structure is complete, and digital integration is under way to support an efficient operating model,’ said Deputy Montague.
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