Independent Review of Education Services in Guernsey
The Policy Council has today published the independent review of education services in Guernsey undertaken by Denis Mulkerrin CBE, MA.
In October 2011, the Policy Council appointed Mr Denis Mulkerrin CBE, MA, to undertake an independent review of education services in Guernsey. The Council resolved to commission the review as a result of public concern at the apparent low level and deteriorating trend in GCSE results at the Island's three high schools (both collectively and individually) for the years 2009, 2010 and provisional figures for 2011.
Mr Mulkerrin's report is available to download on this page.
For more information, contact Philip Henderson at the Policy Council on 01481 717131 or philip.henderson@gov.gg
Statement from Denis Mulkerrin CBE MA, author of the independent review of education services in Guernsey:
"I believe strongly that the most important person in any school is the pupil. However, the most important asset is the teacher. It is good teachers, and good teaching, that make good schools.
Among a number of recommendations in this report, I advocate a step change in the way teachers are recruited; the establishment of governing bodies, and the implementation of Local Management for schools. I believe the end process would be a more effective structure for running the schools in Guernsey. Collectively, these changes would greatly enhance the quality of teaching and learning in the classroom.
In writing this report I have met many teachers, head teachers, parents, education officers and other stakeholders. I have been struck with their strong desire to further improve education in Guernsey and I would like to take the opportunity to thank them for seeing me, and their advice. I should add that the Education Board members' engagement with this review has been valuable and I have been impressed with their willingness to consider ways of improving education.
It is now clearly time for all parties to look to the future, and to put in place the structures and policies that will best meet the challenges that schools in Guernsey will have to meet. Children have only one chance of education, and we are all duty bound to try and make that education as good as we possibly can."
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Statement from Deputy Chief Minister Deputy Bernard Flouquet on behalf of the Policy Council:
"It is the Policy Council's view that this report is a thoughtful, plain-speaking and constructive report which can and must contribute positively to the building of confidence in Guernsey's educational system. The most important thing is that the report is used to start a further improvement in the education services of Guernsey. It deserves full and proper consideration with a view to making education in Guernsey more fit-for-purpose.
"The report sets out the challenges faced by the Education Department, schools and teachers in Guernsey, and makes recommendations on how those challenges might be met. Mr Mulkerrin has also recognised in his review the strength of the education infrastructure that the Education Department has developed, and the hard work of teachers and education professionals right across the Island."
"It is now for the Education Department, and its incoming Chief Officer, to analyse the report and its recommendations. They have been asked to make an initial response to the Policy Council by 30 June 2012.
"The Policy Council would like to place on record its gratitude to Mr Mulkerrin for delivering this report in such a constructive and diligent manner."
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Statement from the Board of the Education Department:
"The Education Department welcomes Mr Mulkerrin's report. The publication of the review, allied to the incoming Chief Officer's appointment, signifies that this is a time to look to the future, to restore full public confidence in the education system in Guernsey, and to reinforce the Department's commitment to continuous improvement.
The Department will look closely at the recommendations and analysis that is contained within it before reporting back to the Policy Council. The current Board is pleased to have the opportunity to begin working on the Department's response to the review in this States Term. It has already commenced work in some of the areas set out in the report, and is pleased that Mr Mulkerrin has recognised that in his report.
The Department will now be making no further comment on the review until it reports back to the Policy Council".
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Biography of Denis Mulkerrin CBE MA
Denis Mulkerrin was born in Guernsey in 1946 and was educated at Amherst Primary School and the Grammar School. He left school at 14 to start an apprenticeship at the Guernsey Telephone Department.
Mr Mulkerrin later qualified as a school teacher and has taught in six secondary schools mainly in London and the South East of England. He was Headteacher of three different comprehensive schools from 1988 to 2010. He gained a reputation for improving failing schools which went on to achieve outstanding Ofsted Reports. For this he was appointed CBE for Services to Education in January 2005. In 2008 he gave presentations on leadership in schools to Prince Charles, the Secretary of State for Education and HM Chief Inspector of Ofsted. In 2010 he was on the Head Teacher Advisory Group to Michael Gove, the Secretary of State for Education.
In August 2010 Mr Mulkerrin and his wife Ann retired back to Guernsey.
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Note to media: Mr Mulkerrin will not be communicating further with the media following the issuing of this statement as he wishes the Policy Council and the Education Department to be given the space to analyse and reflect on his report.
Any questions relating to Mr Mulkerrin's report or his statement should be addressed to Steve Wakelin (01481 717027) (steve.wakelin@gov.gg) or Phil Henderson (01481 717131) (phil.henderson@gov.gg) at the Policy Council.
We would be very grateful if you could adhere with Mr Mulkerrin's request.
Issued on 13th January 2012
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