New school grouping system to address pressures on Education

Friday, 13 March 2026 13:17

Jersey schools are being grouped together in partnerships, in response to growing pressures on the education system.

The reorganisation hopes to help schools in the face of declining pupil numbers, rising Special Education Needs and Disabilities (SEND) demands and financial pressures.

Schools will be grouped into four partnerships: East, West, and two Town groups.

They will be based on existing secondary catchment areas and their feeder primary schools.

A designated Partnership Lead will work with headteachers in the group to share expertise, staffing, and resources to benefit pupils.

We're told these will be recruited from existing headteachers and former headteachers who work for government and the reshape be delivered at no extra cost to the education budget.

The aim is to make better use of funding, reduce workload, and strengthen curriculum planning.

The changes also directly address the recent independent SEND review, which found strong inclusive practice across many schools but highlighted the need for more consistent leadership, clearer strategy, and greater system-wide coherence.

READ: Inspectors find inclusion for SEND children is lacking

Minister for Education and Lifelong Learning, Deputy Rob Ward, said:

"By introducing formal partnerships, we are strengthening the way our schools work together so that every child benefits from the collective expertise, resources, and dedication across the island.

"Our schools are facing complex pressures from changing demographics to rising needs, and they cannot face these challenges in isolation."

87% per cent of headteachers and 88% of deputy headteachers supported the idea.

It will be trialed for two years in non-fee-paying schools.

Carl Howarth, former President of headteachers union the NAHT Jersey, has called it a 'positive step':

“ Deepening collaboration across schools will help school leaders respond to rising needs, support staff more effectively, and deliver consistent, high-standard and cost-effective provision across the Island.

"NAHT Jersey welcomes the intention behind these changes and looks forward to being a constructive partner in evaluating the impact of this pilot for the benefit of our schools, our pupils, and the strength and stability of education across our Island.”