St Anne’s School pupils Alex Hope-Smith, Poppy Bristow and Milo Wright are pictured with head teacher Mike Gaunt. (0995662)

THREE St Anne’s School pupils are heading for Guernsey Grammar.

Poppy Bristow, Alex Hope-Smith and Milo Wright, all 11, recently passed the entrance exam, along with two other children who decided not to move school.

The trio will live with host families in Guernsey and return to Alderney during school holidays.

Despite two pupils opting to stay in Alderney, this is the most St Anne’s has ever sent to the Grammar in one year – much to the delight of head teacher Mike Gaunt.

‘I’m thrilled, I really am. I’m very proud of them,’ he said. ‘Everyone at the school will miss them, but clearly this is the right thing for them at this particular time.

We can only celebrate their success and wish them all the best.’

Deputy head teacher Brendan English, who is in charge of the primary school, was equally thrilled.

‘I’m over the moon. This is testament to the hard work of teachers, children and parents to improve standards.

‘The pass rate was fantastic. Out of 21 Year 6 pupils, 12 took the exam and five passed, which is excellent.’

Brendan went on to wish the children the best of luck.

‘The most important advice I can offer the children is to take what they have learnt here, about learning being fun and enjoyable. They also need to ensure they take full advantage of the opportunities that are available in Guernsey.

I wish them every success.’

Mike said local children often have a tough decision to make at the age of 11.

‘It’s a bigger decision here than it would be for any youngster in Guernsey. Children here are not just moving from one educational institute to another, they are moving island.’

Mike is hoping the children will follow in the footsteps of former St Anne’s pupil Andrew Gaudion, who recently moved to the Grammar’s sixth form.

‘Andrew is deputy head boy at the Grammar and he is a product of Alderney and St Anne’s. His achievements are something to be celebrated here. I felt very proud to see him at a conference in Guernsey recently, where he referred to the education he’d received in Alderney.’

Mike advised the children to ‘seize the day and make the very best of the opportunity’.

‘They are going to be offered experiences they cannot be offered here – and not just in terms of learning. The Grammar has a centre for performing arts round the corner and year groups will consist of 150 children who all passed the entrance exam,’ he said.

‘These children will get a string of A and AA grades whether they are here or in Guernsey. The difference will be the way they do it, and that’s the advantage of going.’

And if the pupils don’t enjoy Guernsey, Mike will welcome them back with open arms.

‘Some people have come back in the past and that’s fine. We’ve told all the children and their parents that they are welcome to return.’