This Is Guernsey

By Gemma Hockey

CHILDREN’S education should come before budgets, according to Deputy Mike O’Hara. The former member of St Andrew’s Primary School committee and 15-year member of the parish douzaine said he was very concerned Education was giving serious consideration to closing the school.

‘I suspect that such consideration is being given on cost grounds and certainly not on the grounds of the education provision, which is excellent’ said Deputy O’Hara.

‘I am sure the Education Department would be the first to realise all the immense hard work and success of the school.

‘It is a disgrace that budget is being placed first ahead of the children’s educational requirements and the enormous effect that the closure will have on their families and the community at large,’ he said.

He said the prospect of the closure of St Sampson’s Infants and the primary schools at La Mare de Carteret and St Andrew’s made a mockery of the fact that schools seemed to be overcrowded.

‘Yet here we are expecting to close one, if not three primary schools,’ said Deputy O’Hara.

‘People are naturally asking where the children will go should the closures go ahead.’

He said the closure of St Andrew’s would affect not only the children’s welfare, but also rip out the heart of the parish’s community.

‘The school has raised literally thousands of pounds to develop the many projects it has been involved with,’ he said.

‘The school forms a very active part of the community entry to Floral Guernsey.

‘Indeed, this year the parish celebrated its success in attaining a gold award in the Britain in Bloom competition.’

The school holds special days to celebrate Liberation Day, hustings for States candidates and mock elections. It also teaches Guernsey/ French.

‘The school provides nursery facilities once a week, which is just one of the items the Education Department feels is essential,’ said Deputy O’Hara.

The St Andrew’s Parent-Teacher Association has written to Education outlining its concerns about potential closure and the little money it would save compared to the detrimental impact on the children and community.

‘We would appreciate seeing any report that may have been produced explaining the economic benefits of closing any of the schools,’ said chairman Alasdair McLaren.

Former La Mare de Carteret head and St Andrew’s deputy head Bob Thompson said he would be extremely sad to see either close.

‘The threat of closure of any primary school is very sad,’ he said, ‘because primary schools are a little family and community.

‘Even though I would be very upset for people, and I hope it won’t happen, I think if a school is so small and is unviable, possibly St Sampson’s Infants, then the board may have a strong case.

‘I was deputy head at St Andrew’s and I would be very sad to see either that school or La Mare de Carteret Primary close.

‘But I have been out of education for eight years now so I’m not completely au fait with the current political wheeling and dealing.’