Tuesday 06 August 2019
The Policy & Resources Committee has announced that the Director of Education, Mrs Laurie Baker, has taken the decision to withdraw from her post due to a change in family circumstances.
Mrs Baker has been working part-time for some months and was due to take up the post full-time from mid-August this year.
A spokesperson from the Committee said:
'The Director of Education is a statutory appointment made under the Education Law by P&R. Mrs Baker has had to make the difficult personal decision to stand down from this post due to emerging family circumstances, making the relocation to Guernsey untenable. It is a great shame that she is unable to take up the role full time at the end of August as she had intended but it is completely understandable that her family should come first. We wish her and her family all the very best for the future.'
Mrs Baker said:
'It's my view that the direction of travel for educational change across the Bailiwick is positive, exciting and will make a real difference to the opportunities for the children, young people and families who are fortunate enough to live here. Whilst I am no longer able to fulfil this post, I will be following Guernsey's transformation journey with interest.
My decision has not been made in haste nor in light of the very recent and public issues relating to ESC recruitment. It is has been a very difficult decision for me but it is in the best interests of my family.'
The current Education Services senior leadership team will arrange cover for aspects of the Director of Education role over the coming months. It is hoped that Mrs Baker will continue to be able provide strategic educational advice throughout the autumn term on a part time consultancy basis.
P&R will not begin actively recruiting for a replacement until the new roles of Committee Secretary and Director of Operations embed into the organisation. This will allow time for the Committee to develop an appropriate process for filling the role.
