CHIEF MINISTER Lyndon Trott will attempt to amend Education’s primary school report so that either both St Sampson’s Infants and St Andrew’s Primary close, or both remain open.
The department is recommending that St Andrew’s be saved, but a majority of the Policy Council has questioned that stance.
Deputy Trott said there were several options to ensure the States was consistent and fair in its approach, but he has not settled on which one to attempt.
‘In my view neither school should close or both should close and the debate should focus on educational fundamentals first and cost savings second,’ said the St Sampson’s deputy.
‘Closing one without the other makes little sense if the arguments are considered consistently.
‘I think it is for that reason that both the minister [Carol Steere] and deputy minister of Education [Allister Langlois] and the Policy Council have taken the stance they have.
‘I welcome the debate at the end of the month in the hope that it results in consistent policy delivery.
‘Why? Because in my experience, nothing frustrates our community more than inconsistent policy delivery.’
Article posted on 12th January, 2009 - 2.29pm
3 Article Comments
Just look at the class sizes and which would be easier to intergrate pupils from into a few other schools. I dont know what the class sizes are but i had 30 in my class and i heard of some schools only having 10!
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I went to St Andrews School and it was a nice place to be.As good as it is and was people need to understand that it is not fit for purpose.Surely the recently purpose built Forest School would be able to take some of these pupils.The forest
school has good access and le rondin school is across the road for those who may need it.The school crossing is already in place so it appears to be the perfect solution.I understand how people feel about their children I have two myself and always want the best for them,but it has to be said that the school dosnt have much to do with a childs moral and social behaviour that is established in the home.
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Chef – You are right, the Forest would take some of the displaced pupils – so would St Martin’s and Castel. ALL school catchment areas across the island would be redrawn causing disruption for children at as many as seven schools, increasing class sizes – and no doubt also increasing cost. The Education board’s report recommends keeping St Andrew’s open and does not make a financial case for closing the school.
St Andrew’s is still “a nice place to be” – the majority of the pupils walk to and from school and there is a very strong sense of society within the parish as a result.
We also want the best for our children and we back the Board’s recommendation to keep St Andrew’s open!
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