Row over plans to close schools

A Guernsey deputy has described as "a disgrace", plans to close an island primary school.

Education bosses are looking at closing St Andrew's Primary in an ongoing review that could also see La Mare de Carteret and St Sampson's Infants shut.

Former St Andrew's School committee member Mike O'Hara said the move would rip the heart out of the community.

No firm decision has yet been made. A drop in birth rates in the island is being blamed for the review.

It's clear that numbers are falling until about 2017 Deputy Jenny Tasker, Home Department

If approved, the closure of the three schools could affect more than 600 pupils as they are moved to other facilities.

Deputy O'Hara said the local area would be badly affected if St Andrew's Primary was closed because it was involved in every aspect of the community.

He said: "They're so enthusiastic. The children feel part of the school, they feel proud of it.

"I believe the school is doing a good job and we shouldn't be thinking of closing it down."

But another States member, Deputy Geoff Mahy, a former head of St Martin's Primary, said there were more opportunities for pupils at bigger schools.

Review 'needed'

He said: "The most important part of the school is the teachers.

"When you have a small school, you have a small pool of teachers, and it is very difficult to manage and maintain high standards in every area of the curriculum in a small school."

St Peter Port Deputy Jenny Tasker, who is a board member of the Home Department and a former head teacher, said with birth rates declining there needed to be a review.

She said: "The secondary schools have now been rationalised, and it's clear that numbers are falling until about 2017, when there is due to be another slight rise, but nothing like the peak we have had in the past.

"I believe the investigation the Education Department is proposing has to be done."