CAMPAIGNERS for a full independent review into education management could take the matter back to the States. In August, the Policy Council agreed to get it carried out as a matter of urgency after Deputy Jean Pritchard lodged a requete requesting it.

She was concerned that firm plans have still not been made and she would speak to her fellow signatories to decide their next move.

‘We want something set up,’ she said.

‘It is long overdue and with delay comes uncertainty that can be damaging to the education service, so let’s get it done.’

Lt-Bailiff Richard Southwell recommended an external review be carried out when presiding over the case of Jane Stephens, who sought a judicial review into circumstances that led to her sacking as head of Le Rondin School.

Mrs Stephens’s sacking is currently the subject of a claim for unfair dismissal against the Education Department.

Deputy Pritchard said there was no reason to wait until Mrs Stephens’s case had concluded, because they two were separate issues.

‘I appreciate they ‘Policy Council’ have had problems in getting someone to conduct the review, but I see no reason why it couldn’t be conducted alongside Mrs Stephens’s case.’

Deputy Pritchard has written to the council with questions as to the level of independence of the review panel and what sort of expertise would be on it.

‘Because of the breadth and complexity of the review, the panel should include people with not only education management skills, but with experience of employment law and expertise on corporate governance.’

In December, she was told a draft had been prepared which would address the points raised but it needed advice from HM Procureur first and he had been away on leave.

A council spokesman admitted that the matter was ongoing.

‘Progress is being made and an announcement from the Policy Council is anticipated in the near future,’ he said.

Education minister Martin Ozanne said: ‘I’m satisfied that the Policy Council team will be in a position to be able to make the right appointments to look into this review.’

He said it should not be rushed, but declined to comment further.

Deputy Barry Brehaut, who backed the review, said the issues in question had not gone away.

‘When I signed the requete, from a personal point of view, I signed it because I believed that there was a great deal of urgency regarding the issue of management within Education.’

He said the States currently faced other pressing issues and the review could be prepared with only limited resources.

‘When we ask people to do these things, I’m always conscious that we are asking the same people to do them.’

In July, more than half the deputies backed a motion for a full independent review of the department.