Watering down the pursuit of excellence

Deputy Andy Cameron’s principled stand against his own committee may take you in one of two different directions, depending on your political and educational persuasion.

Arguably it reinforces the strength of the individual within the government machine. As a States still largely against executive government, party politics and being whipped, here’s a lone deputy popping up to show that there is still room for those who don’t subscribe to group think or drink the Kool Aid.

Or, it so seriously damages the credibility of the committee and its plans, one wonders what role Deputy Cameron feels he can possibly play by remaining part of Education. He should have both dissented, quit, and come out in interview, in the strongest possible terms, to explain why he is right and the committee is wrong, rather than ‘hidden’ behind a prepared statement.

But what does this rebellion do for the proposal?

Education’s proposals are already looking like a heavily-diluted version of an aspiration for excellence. In terms of educational outcomes, the policy letter leaves us on a wing and a prayer.

Deputy Cameron’s enthusiasm for a ‘do nothing’ approach further waters down those proposals, which already seems to be founded in practicality above all else before the marketing gloss is applied.

If being practical and realistic is the key, he appears to say, then let’s not spend £30m. moving a sixth form centre a few hundred metres. Instead spend the money on upgrading facilities at Les Varendes and Les Beaucamps.

The deputy, a former pupil of La Mare de Carteret, the Sixth Form Centre and the College of Further Education, also takes up the argument that the standalone sixth form college will be ‘operationally sub-optimal’.

His views will gain some support from those already uninspired by what is being presented.

Which all rather feels like the pursuit of excellence in local education is as far away as ever.