Monday 16 March 2020
Following the advice issued by Public Health last week, Education Services have taken the decision to cancel or defer all planned off-Island visits outside of the Bailiwick for the next eight weeks.
Ed Ashton, Director of Operations for Education, said:
'Following the advice issued by Public Health last week, Education Services have taken the decision to cancel or defer all planned off-Island visits outside of the Bailiwick for the next eight weeks (i.e. up to week-ending 10 May 2020).
'The position with regard to off-Island visits planned from 11 May 2020 onwards will be looked at again in mid-April 2020, and further advice will be issued at that stage.
'Parents, carers and children will clearly be disappointed by this decision, but I hope you will understand that, in light of the latest advice from Public Health Services that all non-essential travel should be avoided, we have taken what we consider to be the most responsible decision regarding off-Island visits. The health and wellbeing of our students and staff is our absolute priority.
'Following the official advice, and I would encourage everyone to do so, will inevitably result in families and individuals bearing the cost of travel plans that are cancelled or deferred, including off-Island school visits. However, schools will take steps to return to parents and carers any money that has not already been paid to the relevant travel providers, as well as any money which has been paid to suppliers but is able to be recovered - this may be possible in a small number of instances.
'Further information about trips from 11 May 2020 onwards will be provided next month.'
