Support ESC’s proposals so we can move forward

We have to invest in our young people, build self-esteem and therefore things cannot stay the same. I understand from what I have read that this is some of what the current committee are proposing. We need to look at moving the island’s economy forward, get our students trained up in whatever path they choose to take and to be proud in that role. Every person is important in our community and segregation at 16 is not the way to boost self-esteem or to help with mental health in young people. Les Beaucamps say they do not have enough space currently with 530 students. Yet it was built for 660 and currently under UK standards would be able to hold 825. We do not have that many children to attend this school – the figures as they stand would give a maximum of 704 in two years’ time, reducing back to 640. It is claimed they do not have space at wet break times and that the hall cannot take all the students. However, there is a basketball hall and the gym, which if used will give a huge amount of room at these busy times. Some members of staff have stated they are currently under-capacity. There are going to be three schools with six forms of entry in five year groups, this equates to the following: 6 x 5 = 30 classes, 704 divided by 30 = 23.5 students, reducing down to 640 x 30 = 22 students per a class.

I understand that no changes are planned for St Sampson’s School. La Mare wants to stay the same, they do have wonderful teachers, but the building is substandard, only recently the pumps failed in the area and the school nearly had to close. The truth is the island does not have the funds to rebuild the school and therefore has to look at the alternatives. Les Varendes is in the middle of the biggest catchment area in the island and it would be economic madness to bus youngsters to La Mare.

I understand that Housing wants to gradually demolish Les Genats Estate and rebuild in a mixed clos style with rental and partial ownership for mixed-age groups of families and singles.

Families will slowly be moved out of the existing estate.

The curriculum will be the same across the three schools as we have equal students, but the heads will have the final decision. The curriculum at the sixth form centre will be decided by the head, as with the secondary schools. These are not decisions for deputies to make but educators in order to achieve the best results from our youngsters and future island leaders and workers. Locating the sixth form centre to join all other further education at Les Ozouets campus again makes complete sense. Regardless of the claims it will not work, if the committee have done timetabling and can prove it is workable it makes financial sense, it works elsewhere. There are currently far more staff wanting jobs locally within the education system, relocating or returning home – Covid has changed everything in this area as we are seen as a safe place.

The current proposals are for funds to be injected into special needs, a new autism base will be formed at Les Beaucamps, and there will be bases in each of the schools for students with additional needs. Each of the schools will have a special needs coordinator.

Again under the current proposals, further funds will be given to primary education to prepare students for the move into secondary education.

It has to be said that this strategy has been built up from feedback and surveys. The crux of the matter is we must move forward and give our youngsters the best the island can afford in an education that instils belief in themselves and makes them capable to achieve their best and be proud of it.

Whatever is put on the table will never please everyone, but this has gone on long enough and rather than lots of amendments being brought forward by deputies who want to try to point-score, we should all be getting behind the current committee and allowing them to move forward for the greater good of our youngsters. If fine tuning is needed I am sure it will be able to be done as we move forward, and this is what is known as progress.

So, come on States members, stop the in-house arguing and for once get behind your colleagues on the Education Committee and support the proposals, so that we can move forward and support the future of our wonderful island – which is what the public voted you into the States for.

PETE WARD