St Anne’s School pupils are given certificates for 100% attendance on the same day as the school takes part in Hats for Haiti. Head teacher Mike Gaunt is in the black balaclava on the far right of the shot. (0908136)

A TEAM of evaluators will spend three days assessing St Anne’s School in March. Representatives from Tribal Group – an independent body of educational consultants – will visit the school to inspect several areas, including management, teaching, learning and curriculum provision.

The Bailiwick’s assessment system is similar to the one used by Ofsted – the organisation that inspects UK schools.

Head teacher Mike Gaunt explained the assessment process.

‘Guernsey’s system, which is called Validated School Self Evaluation, gives schools the chance to look at their own processes and honestly evaluate where they are,’ he said.

‘We are currently looking at various areas with staff, children and parents. After that we’ll send a report to Tribal, who will be coming over on 8 March. Tribal will talk to people, sit in on lessons and find out exactly what we’re doing.’

Mr Gaunt went on to explain the benefits of self-assessment and how Tribal’s input will help St Anne’s improve.

‘Firstly, it’s an opportunity to critically evaluate our own methods. Tribal will look at what we’ve said and assess whether it’s accurate or not. It is good practice and one every institution – not just schools – should consider.

‘I have always valued other people’s opinions, so I think the assessment will be extremely beneficial. You cannot improve unless you know what other people think of you.’

St Anne’s must adapt to evolving practices, said Mr Gaunt.

‘Whether we like it or not, change comes. There are differences from when I arrived two years ago and I like to think those changes have been for the best,’ he said.

‘There are things we would like to do but are restricted by our circumstances and budget. Drama and music are two examples; we don’t have a teacher for either subject, as we are up to our maximum number of staff. In a little community we have to accept the fact there are things that are not going to be possible.’

Mr Gaunt said he would welcome islanders’ opinions on the school.

‘If people want to tell me what they think, they can always write to me. I do not want anybody to feel they cannot say what they think.’

Mr Gaunt will finish the report, which will be worked on for the next few weeks, over the February half-term break.

Meanwhile, both island schools have been doing their bit to help the aid effort in Haiti.

St Anne’s held a ‘Hats for Haiti’ day, while Ormer House sold cakes, biscuits and buns in order to help the earthquake-hit country.

Funds raised at both schools will be added to the Rotary Club of Alderney’s ShelterBox appeal, which has already hit a four-figure sum.

Rotary president David Hart visited Ormer House on Tuesday to explain how the cash will help Haiti.

He said Alderney’s generosity knew no bounds.

‘It’s astronomical. I often work out how much the island donates per head and it’s an astonishing amount – much more than Guernsey raises.’

St Anne’s held its fund-raising effort on the same day as attendance certificates were handed out. Every pupil who obtained 100% attendance in the winter term was rewarded.

And, if you look very carefully, head teacher Mike Gaunt can be spotted in the picture.

Rotary Club of Alderney president David Hart introduces pupils at Ormer House School to the ShelterBox, many of which are being used to help the aid effort in Haiti. (0908137)

Sad news, readers – tiny blonde hedgehog Orinoco died earlier this week.

The eight-week-old creature was taken in by vet Helen Dickinson a fortnight ago after a local woman noticed it was too small to hibernate. Hedgehogs need to be 600g to survive the winter months but Orinoco – an autumn juvenile – weighed just 280g.

Helen did her best to feed Orinoco up but the baby blonde was only interested in curling up in a spiky ball and sleeping. Helen said a lack of fat reserves would have caused Orinoco’s death.