Work on Guernsey's standalone Sixth Form and school merger continues

Work to prepare two Guernsey schools for the new term continues at both Les Varendes and La Mare as the two will merge in September.

The old La Mare primary is to become a temporary Sixth Form Centre while work at Les Ozouets, to create The Guernsey Institute, gets going.

The Sixth Form Centre Leadership Team has worked with a group of Sixth Form students and students from Years 10 and 11 in each of the high schools on how the site should be improved.

Changes include remodelling parts of the building’s interior to create a more adult learning and working environment. 

The current sports hall and school hall will be turned into a university-style lecture theatre and an independent study area.

Kieran James, Principal of the Sixth Form Centre, says they want it to feel more like higher education than a school:

"The space will reflect how post-16 education is evolving, here in Guernsey and globally.

"With flexible workspaces, a more adult look and feel, and a real sense of student ownership, it will feel more like stepping into a campus or workplace than a school, and I look forward to inviting members of our community through its doors when it’s ready."

Work has begun to create additional IT and networked classrooms for multimedia studies.

A photography dark-room has already been created, as well as a larger Science Prep room. 

The Sixth Form Student Design Board has also been influencing decisions on the future dress code for students.

Pupils will move into the centre in Cobo in September.

Les Varendes High School is also being prepared this summer for its merger with La Mare de Carteret High School.

Guernsey's senior States committee, P&R, has set aside £280,000 for the work.

It includes capping the swimming pool to create a new multi-functional space for teaching, meetings and dining, and a social space during break times.

There will also be an 'Inclusion Space' and a base for the Communication, Interaction and Autism Service.

Verona Tomlin, Les Varendes High School Principal, says the process has been led by pupils:

"I am looking forwarding to welcoming them all together into one school, which with the upcoming programme of works will be better matched to our requirements and increased numbers so we can continue to strive for excellence.”