Requete Is About 'Saving Herm Island'

Deputy gathers support to block sending pupils to Guernsey daily for lessons.

From September, the four pupils of varying ages from Herm School will take the boat daily to Guernsey to go to Vauvert School.

The Education Committee announced the move in late May, with deputy Andrea Dudley-Owen saying it was about educational opportunity and equality:

"The best interests of the children are at the heart of every education-related decision the Committee makes and this is the key driver for this decision. Educating a range of year groups in one small class in Herm, means that we’re not delivering for the children against a core element of our Education Strategy, which is to ensure that our curriculum at all phases reflects the needs of all learners and is appropriately broad, diverse and ambitious."

Deputy David de Lisle says Herm residents with children are against it:

"It's all a matter of saving Herm Island. They depend on their school as the workforce have young children, and they wish to have their youngsters schooled in Herm, rather than that trip every day to Vauvert School, which is ridiculous, particularly with four year olds."

"I'm bringing the requete because I'm concerned for Herm, that probably it will not be able to recruit staff for essential services in the future, if they don't have a proper school facility."

Education say in stormy weather pupils would be home schooled, or, if stuck in Guernsey, there is a contingency: 

"We have a number of possible options to manage a worst-case scenario where children become stuck in Guernsey and we will work with parents to ensure each child/family has a bespoke plan in place."

Education add that a benefit is that the move will save around £60,000 to £85,000 in the year of the trial.

David de LIsle is doubtful:

"Having a boat going first thing in the morning in winter, they're going to be the only ones on that boat, and that's going to be quite costly to start with."