GUERNSEY was held up as an example of innovation at the National Union of Teachers’ annual conference. One of the leading candidates to take over as the union’s general secretary, John Bangs, highlighted the local self-evaluation scheme used in assessing schools.

And Guernsey is ideally placed to reflect on English problems before introducing policies here, according to a local NUT spokesman who attended the conference in Harrogate.

‘Ofsted was roundly criticised. In contrast to that was the Guernsey system; the validation process was spoken about as a replacement,’ he said.

‘Guernsey’s method was one to be hailed as a far more professional way of dealing with evaluation in schools. Guernsey was held up as a paradigm of innovation.’

He said that in some ways, the island could bathe in the reflected glory of that. But local representatives warned the conference about the disadvantages of the workload generated before the inspection process. ‘Another issue was that of testing and the recording of work done by younger children.’

Delegates highlighted Wales, where Key Stage One assessments had been abolished without education suffering. The conference concluded that the whole system of testing needed to be revised.

‘The message is that the island really needs to consider and reflect on the problems England dealt with before introducing them here.’

He said that situations arose in England where teachers had to fill in 117 tick boxes for a four-year-old.

Local teachers were increasingly concerned, he said, that their workload should be focused on teaching.

‘What we’re asked to do should be appropriate and educational, rather than bureaucratic.’

Youngsters became anxious, he said, and there were examples of where the experiences of the first child going through testing had led parents to prevent their second child going through the process.

‘We are not saying never assess a child, but a regime based entirely on testing can’t be healthy, or, in the long term, valuable.’

The conference has filled the national news with strike threats over classroom assistants, but the spokesman played down the chances of this happening here.

‘It’s not as relevant in Guernsey because the number-limitation policy means there are far fewer assistants.

‘The key factor is, they should be assisting and not teaching,’ he said.

‘A stewardess is most welcome but you wouldn’t want them to fly the plane.’

He said that the issue of strike action ‘almost certainly wouldn’t happen here’.

Perennial issues such as workload, management bullying and undermining of professional autonomy again came up at the conference.

‘There’s a creeping managerisation, which is also happening elsewhere. Sometimes it’s good, but Guernsey is in the fortunate situation of being able to taste it and see.’

The Guernsey branch of the NUT will probably support a candidate for general secretary for the first time. Mr Bangs, who visited the island recently, is the choice. He is also the only ‘independent’ candidate.