SOME local primary schools face closure in a major Education review. La Mare de Carteret Primary, St Andrew’s Primary and St Sampson’s Infants’ are believed to be prime candidates.

This would see more than 600 pupils switching schools and at least 30 teachers needing a new job.

Education minister Martin Ozanne confirmed yesterday that the department was looking into closing schools, but would not say which.

‘Reducing the number of primary schools in Guernsey is a possibility,’ he said.

‘No decisions have been made but we are looking at all our schools.

‘We are looking at the size of schools and the size of catchment areas. It’s part of the overall Government Business Plan to review the provision within the primary sector.’

Deputy Ozanne confirmed that La Mare, St Andrew’s and St Sampson’s had been discussed at an Education board meeting.

‘Those three schools have been discussed but all our schools will be looked at,’ he said.

‘We will be meeting again next week to discuss the number of schools we require.

‘We have dealt with the secondary sector and now we are looking at the primary.’

He said fewer children were being enrolled into schools and that number was set to continue to fall.

‘We have a reducing birth rate in Guernsey, as does the whole of the UK, and have many fewer students coming into our schools over the next few years.’

‘The trend is for people to have a smaller family and therefore it is inevitable that the number will continue to drop and it’s therefore only right that we look at whether we have an overcapacity of schools in the future.’

Guernsey has 13 States primary schools and Deputy Ozanne said the review would be extensive but could not say when he would be in a position to comment further.

‘We cannot give out firm answers until we have made firm decisions,’ he said.

‘I can’t give any indication at all because I am a member of the Education board, not an individual, and I act on behalf of the board. In due course the board will come to some recommendations following further advice and I will be able to tell people more.’

Parents with children at La Mare de Carteret yesterday spoke of their concern at the possibility of the school closing.

Many said they would be furious if their children had to move.

Schools at risk

La Mare de Carteret Primary

320 pupils

21 full-time teachers

2 part-time teachers

14 other staff including head teacher, secretary, caretaker and cleaners

St Andrew’s Primary

150 pupils

7 teachers

9 other staff

St Sampson’s Infants’

57 pupils

3 teachers

6 other staff