LA MARE DE CARTERET Primary School should be targeted for closure instead of St Andrew’s, according to Treasury minister Charles Parkinson.
Redevelopment costs at La Mare, which a year ago became the first of the three threatened schools to be reprieved by Education, are forecast to be £15m. to £20m., potentially more than bringing St Andrew’s up to standard, according to Deputy Parkinson – and its closure would make it easier to develop the secondary school.
It is believed he has some support on the Policy Council.
But the idea was dismissed by Education minister Carol Steere, who is in a minority on her board in wanting to close St Andrew’s.
Deputy Parkinson said that costs per pupil at St Andrew’s were lower than at Vale, Amherst and La Mare de Carteret and not significantly above average.
‘St Sampson’s Infants is clearly the most costly to run by a distance so you can see why it’s in the firing line, apart from the fact it’s the only standalone infants’. Put those together and Education has a strong case for closing it. But the case for St Andrew’s is far from clear.’
The alternative to closing St Andrew’s would be upgrading it and the Castel and closing the primary at La Mare, he said.
‘Although Education say that St Andrew’s will require a lot of investment going forward, I believe it’s worth making that to free up the La Mare de Carteret primary site.’
Deputy Parkinson said he would not be bringing any motion to the Assembly, ‘but I’m not alone in these views’.
Deputy Steere said that La Mare de Carteret could cater for up to 500 pupils so had extra capacity available.
St Andrew’s could not easily be extended to allow for anything more than a one-form entry.
‘The opportunities available in large schools in my view are better and I don’t believe we can accommodate a school that size at St Andrew’s,’ said Deputy Steere.
‘St Andrew’s is one of the parishes Deputy Parkinson represents, so it might be easy for him to suggest closing La Mare. We do have falling pupil numbers and future Education Departments may have to look at redrawing of school catchments. It’s believed by Education that the La Mare site offers more opportunities for future catchment distribution than would having to redevelop St Andrew’s.’
Issues such as access also needed to be considered, she said.
Education’s recommendation to close St Sampson’s Infants but keep St Andrew’s Primary open will be debated at the end of the month. Close both or none Page 2
Article posted on 12th January, 2009 - 2.30pm
5 Article Comments
Where would the children from La Mare be sent? You can’t expect 4 year olds to catch a school bus and I doubt more cars on the capelles school run would go down well as the traffic there is a nightmare already. Remember – none of these children would be within walking distance – if they were they’d already be at that school!
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Dont close any schools education prevents crime!
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It should not need spelling out. It’s as simple as ABC – and it all adds up!
The Education Board and their predecessors have taken a year doing their sums and have come to the conclusion that St Andrew’s Primary School should remain open.
Now the naughty girl on the board doesn’t want to play with most of her classmates or do the work that is expected of her.
States members please do not be bullied. Vote to retain an excellent Guernsey parish school – as recommended by the Board elected to champion educational matters!
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Does Mr Parkinson have any idea of the fantastic work La Mare De Carteret Primary does with their children? Has he any understanding of why the cost of children is slightly higher at La Mare? Has he ever visited the Nurture group there for example? There were many reasons why La Mare was taken off the list of possible school closures. Perhaps he should visit the school and see first hand why the school is so successful with its pupils and why it is a flagship for excellent teaching and the welfare and care of its children. Is it true that Charles Parkinson is the state’s member for St Andrews? That says it all really.
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Joan
Deputy Parkinson is a St Andrews deputy.
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