Education now has chance to do things better

It is, quite simply, a chance to do things better.

Education, Sport & Culture has given some insight into its current thinking as to how the secondary system should be reformed.

It favours three 11 to 16 schools and a sixth form co-located with The Guernsey Institute.

There has been a muted response so far from the teaching unions, who were so fundamental in unravelling the plans of the last committee.

That is understandable because we know nothing of what these schools will offer, or how. Will, as some fear, it mean more pupils per teacher, and facilities that fail to match what was being envisaged?

There are some other fundamental changes being discussed now in England as it comes to terms with the havoc caused by a year of teaching disruption because of Covid-19.

Longer school days, shorter holidays and five-term academic years are all in the melting pot.

One of the fundamental arguments is that vulnerable children would benefit from spending more time in school – it is being seen as a way of potentially enhancing social mobility. There are not only academic opportunities, but wider health ones too – longer days offer more chances to hit that 30 minutes a day of strenuous activity seen as key to tackling obesity in young people, for example.

Other lessons can also be taken on board from going into and out of lockdown, not just the way technology has been embraced, but how staggered opening and closing times can ease congestion and therefore pollution on the island’s roads. That may also help create an environment where more are willing to walk and cycle.

Reform of this nature needs the buy-in of teaching staff and parents and the secondary school debate should be a platform for that discussion to take place.

This is also a chance to look at the support and development plans for teachers themselves, something rarely spoken about but which itself could be transformative.