Commenting on the outcome of ‘Your Schools – Your Choice’ Consultation, Chris Keates, General Secretary of the NASUWT, the largest teachers union in Guernsey, said:

“The proposals put forward by the Education Department follow a wide-ranging, comprehensive consultation exercise, to which the NASUWT responded.

“Although there are obviously many questions still to be answered and the devil will be in the detail, the NASUWT would be in broad support of a number of aspects contained in the proposals.

“However overshadowing the report are the comments from the Treasury and Resources, which appear to give no consideration of the impact on pupils and staff or the educational merits of the proposals.

“The NASUWT would be very concerned if there was a move towards a three-school model.

“This would be a significant reorganisation, and cause uncertainty and anxiety for pupils, parents and staff.

“The NASUWT believes the States should stick to the recommendation to retain all four schools so that the focus is on standards not structures.

“It is of critical importance that the States arrive at a firm decision at the March meeting to end the uncertainty.

“The NASUWT looks forward to engaging with the Department on the next steps, particularly a discussion of all of the detailed issues which will now need to be considered.”