ALL the island’s high schools are facing an overcrowding problem, the Guernsey Press can reveal.

The problem is predicted to continue for at least two years.

The new St Sampson’s High School, which opened in September 2008, can ideally teach 720 pupils. However, the school currently has 770 pupils.

La Mare de Carteret High School is 100 pupils over its ideal capacity, and last summer temporary classrooms had to be installed to cope with the number.

The problem is less severe at Les Beaucamps High School, but it is still 28 pupils over capacity.

Education minister Carol Steere (pictured) said the overcrowding issue had been exacerbated by the closure of St Peter Port School last year, but that the department was aware of the problem. She was not concerned that the extra numbers would affect teaching standards.

‘There is a slight overcrowding problem,’ she said.

‘But we have excellent teachers in our schools, who are able to deal with larger classes. If you look at our GCSE results, which are above the UK average, you can see the standard of teaching in schools is good.’

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