Slow Progress On Improving La Sente

The government has been showing off a new play area at La Sente school. In June 2021 the Children and Education Minister told Channel 103 he wanted students move out of the facility by the end of last year.

Deputy Scott Wickenden toured the existing school for children with serious mental health, social or emotional needs last May.

It has been described as 'not fit for purpose' and compared to 'a containment facility'.

The government says most students, when asked during that visit what improvements they would like to see at the school, said 'a softer outside play area'.

The new astro pitch was installed over the October half-term and finished off the following month.

This week, the government released photos the new play area.

“I would like to pay tribute to the students at La Sente for speaking up during my visit and telling me what they would like to improve their school. When I saw their outside facilities, which was a concrete ballcourt and heard that it was the only area where they could play I immediately asked officers to make it a priority to create a safer space for them to play.

The outside area is used extensively for lessons, break and lunchtime activities, but it got very slippery and its use was very limited in wet weather. I left the visit and made a promise to the students that I would help improve their play area.” - Deputy Wickenden.

Back in June 2021, Deputy Wickenden told Channel 103 a plan was being drawn up for a better building for both primary and secondary age children who attend La Sente.

"It needs a new facility.  We are not doing good enough for these children who are some of our most vulnerable in the island."

Deputy Wickenden said at the time that he would like to see Greenfields secure unit at Five Oaks moved 'to somewhere more healing', and those facilities used to expand neighbouring La Sente, which is currently used by teenagers in Key Stage 4.

La Sente Key Stage 4 building 

"I don't want them there any longer than they have to be.  The plan is to try and get them out of those buildings because they are not fit for purpose.  The teachers do an amazing job with the facilities they have, but they deserve better.

"... we could move La Sente into the Greenfields building, which is much more modern.  It has a sports hall, it has a kitchen.  It would be a much better use of that facility in the short term, before we come up with the plan for a proper purpose-built school."

Greenfields secure facility is adjacent to La Sente's Key Stage 4 provision

This week Channel 103 has asked the Minister what progress there has been since his comments of June 2021.

He says the barrier has been finding the right place a new therapeutic care home to replace Greenfields.

"We have hit bumps in the road with finding the right building to create a therapeutic care home which has really slowed down, it is still an aspiration... whoever is the next Children and Education Minister I will definitely be speaking to them (about it) .  

We just need to get one part of it right so we can start moving in the direction.

Finding a building in this island  - a five bedroom house in the right area that does therapeutic care...it's not as easy as I would like it to be."