Committee sets out priorities in new work plan

The future of primary education, an audit of cultural provisions and a long-term location for Guernsey's new sixth form centre are among the government's priorities for the next three years, a new work plan has revealed.

Guernsey's Committee for Education, Sport and Culture has released its work plan for 2026-2029, setting out the areas it aims to focus on during the rest of its tenure.

Commitments include a review into primary education starting in 2027, along with a decision on the long-term future of the sixth form site by the end of the year.

A review of the island's early years funding and further education funding are also on the agenda.

The development of a new cultural strategy which will "champion Guernsey's rich cultural heritage" also features.

Committee president Paul Montague said it aimed to drive improvement across education, "raising standards and expanding opportunity for learners in both Guernsey and Alderney".

He noted the plan also "reflects a clear commitment to strengthening the island's identity, investing in its people and securing long-term social and economic value for the community" and looks to secure investment in "modern, accessible sports and leisure facilities".

The work plan said a "transformation of primary education Programme" would help ensure the bailiwick had "the right number of schools, operating from the right locations" and which are "supported by the right infrastructure".

It also hoped to "modernise how schools operate" by "strengthening teaching and learning, reviewing leadership models, and enhancing pastoral and administrative support", it added.

Other priorities include a review of pre-school and higher education funding, as well as work towards University College Status for the Guernsey Institute.

In its plan, the committee said: "A modern funding approach must reflect the true cost of delivering high-quality, inclusive early years provision, while also supporting accessibility and fairness for all families."

It added it was "actively assessing a number of potential locations from which to provide sixth form education", as it looked to settle a long-term location of the Sixth Form Centre, currently located at the former La Mare de Carteret High School.

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