Halt this rush into two-school model

I write to express my dismay and deep concern regarding Education, Sport & Culture’s plans to spend some £157m. on an ideological educational experiment which will change Guernsey’s unique and previously successful system forever.

Both my son, my husband and I went through the former selective system which is now being dismantled. I firmly believe that the provision of these manageable schools, two of which have been developed in recent times, suits our peculiar environment, educational needs, road connectivity with its inherent traffic congestion and bus service provision. Importantly, those schools have enhanced and enriched our close community life.

Taking our present structure to pieces has been a painful process for parents, students and teachers. However, it is very interesting to note that despite this, recent results at GCSE and A-level have remained positive. In my case I’m happy to say that my son has just been accepted for university. I, of course, accept that some money needs to be spent on upgrading our present schools, especially La Mare de Carteret, but fundamentally Guernsey currently enjoys a first-class education system which has evolved around the island’s needs and characteristics, which are very different to the UK.

I simply do not understand or accept that we need to lay out so much money and blindly follow the comprehensive system. In these bigger all-ability schools there will be less focus on individuals, less opportunity for competitive inter-school sport and a reduced emphasis on continual student assessment.

It just does not stack up for the States to spend multi millions in trying to cram all our 11-18 students into St Sampson’s and Les Beaucamps by effectively squeezing more classrooms onto those limited sites, now designed to be able to accommodate up to 1,400 students in each. I understand much of the two-school communal infrastructure will remain the same and the use of spaces to do sport, assembly, student research and to eat and relax will become staggered over an extended school day. I have experience of working in cramped conditions in the school that I currently work at. It is not unusual to see pupils working in the corridors, which puts logistical problems on the teaching staff.

Furthermore, one of the current jewels in our crown is the excellent sixth form centre at the Grammar School, available to all over 16, which is being disbanded and split into two and to be accommodated on both sites. This is an unnecessary cost and it appears to be justified simply for ideological reasons.

I would ask all States deputies to try and halt this rush into the two schools. There has simply been inadequate consultation with parents, teachers and pupils, with the limited detail that is available being issued over the summer holidays.

NAME AND ADDRESS WITHHELD.