Message from the Education Minister, Deputy Robert Sillars on behalf of the Education Board to all Parents and Carers of primary-age and secondary-age pupils (sent out to all parents 17-3-16
Dear Parent/Carer
We are writing to you to confirm the decisions taken by the States this week, what happens next and what it means for you and your child or children.
Current secondary school pupils are unlikely to experience any significant changes in the next 5 years.
The States have decided that admission to secondary education for new Year 7 students from September 2019 will be non-selective and will be predominantly based on feeder primary schools. This means that the last children to sit the 11+ selection tests will be those currently in Year 4.
Those pupils already at secondary school at the moment will stay in their existing schools and those at the Grammar school will remain in their existing selective intake.
The States also agreed that secondary education will be delivered in three 11-16 schools - this will eventually mean the closure of one of our current secondary schools.
However, no decision has been taken on which school will close or when.
No decision has been taken on how Post-16 education will be delivered or where and the sixth form centre will remain at the current Grammar School site for the foreseeable future.
The new Committee for Education, Sport and Culture - due to be elected in May following the General Election at the end of April - will be tasked with putting together detailed business cases for the various school options.
The new Committee forEducation Sport and Culture will have to bring back all possible three school options to the States at some point in the future for approval - there is no set date for when this should be brought back but a proposal must be submitted by end of 2017 (so for debate prior to March 2018).
We do not intend to change our current class size policy. Therefore we do not believe an 11-16 school can be closed without either a new, larger school built at La Mare de Carteret or extensions to other existing secondary schools. These are likely to take several years to plan and build following the States decision in 2017/18 and then any school closure (if any) would also be likely to be phased over a further number of years, with care taken not to disrupt pupils during years 10 and 11.
The rebuild of all the proposed new facilities at La Mare de Carteret are currently on hold.
We have the approval of the States to give us additional funding to maintain the existing schools at La Mare de Carteret in as best a condition as possible while further planning for the various future school options continues
The Education Department has also been directed to work with the grant-aided Colleges on developing a new funding agreement to be introduced from September 2019 together with the rationale for the quantum of funding to be recommended. This will come back to the States at our earliest opportunity - probably in 2017.
What happens next?
All schools carry on as they are now and for the foreseeable future. It is unlikely any school will close in the next 5 years.
The Education Department will start work as soon as possible on developing business cases for all possible school models. We will use the four school model as the baseline for comparing all options.
The Education Department will consider the implications on the delivery of Post 16 education of each option. This includes sixth form provision and the College of Further Education. There is no direction from the States on whether sixth form provision stays attached to a school or is located on a separate site.
We will need to develop detailed costs and benefits of each of the options and the implications/impact on staff, students, parents and the wider community. Again we would propose to compare these costs and benefits against continuing with a four school model.
We will bring back any proposals for a three school option (or options) to the States for a decision as soon as possible but this may not be until late 2017.
We will work on any arrangements deemed necessary to recruit and retain staff in all our secondary schools.
We are looking at what maintenance work is required now at both La Mare de Carteret High and La Mare de Carteret Primary to ensure the learning conditions for our children and young people remain the best we can deliver within the funding made available. We would hope to carry out any necessary works at the earliest opportunity.
We will work with the Communication and Autism Support Service to see how we can improve facilities for children and young people attending the current primary and secondary bases.
What does this mean specifically for primary age children currently in Years 4, 5 and 6?
Pupils currently in Year 6 will receive notification of their secondary school places as scheduled on April 6th.
Pupils currently in Years 4 and 5 will sit the 11 plus tests for admissions to secondary school and if not selected for a place at the Grammar School or grant-aided Colleges, will transfer to secondary schools based on existing catchment areas, as far as possible, and in line with our current Admissions Policy.
Pupils selected for a place at the Grammar School will continue to be educated in their selective cohorts for the duration of their education.
For pupils currently in Years 4, 5 and 6, we would expect the States to continue funding any pupils selected for a special place at one of the grant-aided College for the duration of their education.
What does this mean specifically for pupils currently in Years Reception to Year 3 (and those of pre-school age)?
Pupils currently in Year 3 and below will not sit the 11 plus tests and will move to secondary schools based predominantly on a feeder primary school system. Until a decision has been taken by the States regarding the future structure and number of secondary schools, we cannot say what this feeder primary school catchment system will look like.
As soon as any new proposals are published and/or any further decisions are taken by the States, all parents will be advised.
If you have any further questions please email the Education Department at office@education.gov.gg
Deputy Robert Sillars
Education Minister, on behalf of the Education Board.
