Sir, it is my privilege to provide this update, my second since becoming President of the Committee for Education, Sport & Culture.
Sir, today the Committee publishes the fourth Education Strategy Annual Report, bridging the work of our predecessors and this new Committee. It highlights progress across all phases of education and support services in 2025 and transparently reports key data, including inspection outcomes for all 20 settings, academic results and pupil attendance.
Progress has been made in safeguarding, inclusion, curriculum development, infrastructure and leadership, reflecting our commitment to high-quality, equitable education. Progress against Strategy commitments has been agreed with senior leaders and reviewed by Headteachers, Principals and the Education Strategy Network. As we refine the Strategy, we will strengthen how progress is measured. The report also sets clear improvement priorities for 2026.
Sir, improving school attendance remains a key priority embedded across all settings. Our expectation is clear: every learner should achieve at least 95% attendance. High attendance is essential to attainment from early primary through Years 11 and 13.
Raising attendance requires a whole-system approach involving schools, families and wider services, as barriers are often complex. Persistent absence triggers targeted support, but regular attendance is everyone’s responsibility.
Primary and special schools have made strong progress towards the 95% target and broadly align with national comparisons. Evidence-based strategies are being deployed in secondary schools, supported by cross-committee collaboration. Progress is closely monitored system-wide and by Education Governance Boards at setting level.
Sir, following consultation with the Chairs of those Governance Boards and with the Policy & Resources Committee, Regulations relating to specific functions delegated to Governance Boards have recently been made. We have also consulted with the States of Alderney about extending the new governance arrangements to St Anne’s School, and legislation to support this change is at the final drafting stage. The first Education Governance Handbooks for schools, the Sixth Form and The Guernsey Institute have been produced.
Sir, the impact of smartphone use on children and young people continues to raise international, national and local concern. A survey of secondary and special school teachers last October confirmed there is no educational need for smartphones in school, and our current policies reflect this. We want our schools to be smartphone free environments, but any further changes must be carefully considered and evidence-based.
Next month, an independent survey led by the University of the West of England will gather views from students, parents and staff across Guernsey and Alderney, including the Grant Aided Colleges, informing future policy alongside public health guidance and World Health Organisation evidence on early development.
Sir, although the Committee’s spend against its 2025 budget is still being finalised, we fully expect to be within budget. We are already anticipating the 2027 budget process and are part-way through a series of meetings with our various grant recipients to ensure we are aware of their needs and aspirations and can take these into account, recognising the excellent work that is delivered on our behalf via commissioned services, and strategic partnerships.
Sir, people in these organisations deserve our gratitude and I would like to place on record our sincere thanks to: St James, the Priaulx and Guille Allès Libraries, the Language, Arts, Sports, Youth and Health Improvement Commissions for their dedication and hard work to support many elements of our mandate.
Through you, Sir, I wish to signal an early consideration for the 2027 budget. As in the UK, we are seeing a marked rise in children with complex needs, particularly in communication, interaction and neurodevelopmental conditions such as autism, often alongside social, emotional and mental health challenges. Demand for specialist placements and intensive, bespoke support is increasing, and we must not let these learners down.
Since the 2021 SEND Review, strong progress has been made. The Additional Learning Needs Code of Practice has strengthened identification and support through closer collaboration across Education, Health and Social Care. Schools are embedding inclusive practice, supported by ALN Coordinators and targeted roles, alongside multi-agency safeguarding arrangements.
However, rising complexity brings financial pressure. We must balance sustained investment and early intervention with responsible, efficient use of public funds to ensure support remains effective and sustainable.
The G8, representing Guernsey’s business and third sector community, has formally backed The Guernsey Institute’s new Adult Skills Strategy, underlining its importance. The Strategy sets a clear framework to strengthen workforce capability, improve inclusion and prepare islanders for future jobs.G8’s ‘Voice of Guernsey’ Business Survey identified ongoing skills gaps, highlighting that a skilled, adaptable and resilient workforce is critical to long-term economic success. The Adult Skills Strategy responds directly by placing lifelong learning at the centre of Guernsey’s social and economic future.
G8 has also established a new Adult Skills Board to provide strategic oversight, working with government, employers and training providers to align provision with industry needs and ensure investment delivers real impact.
The Committee will host its first Research ED Conference on 2nd May, joining a global network dedicated to bridging educational research and classroom practice. The event will bring together researchers, teachers and other professionals working with young people to share evidence-informed approaches, challenge misconceptions and strengthen research literacy.
The day features keynote speeches and more than 30 practical workshops led by leading UK specialists and educators from Guernsey and Jersey. Topics include Maths, English, leadership, digital and AI, pastoral care, and high-quality inclusive practice; and, Sir, Members are warmly invited to attend as our guests.
Independent inspection of our education settings is vital in holding us to account and ensuring transparency for our community. The first cycle of no-notice Ofsted inspections has concluded, providing crucial external validation of our education system’s strengths and areas for development. Findings show the system is in robust health. In almost all areas, a higher proportion of our primary and secondary schools are judged ‘good’ or better compared with England. All settings were graded good or better for leadership, behaviour and early years provision. Personal development is a particular strength, with many primary schools achieving the top grade of ‘excellent’ and secondary schools were in line with England.
Two schools were graded as ‘requiring improvement’ in specific aspects of teaching, and targeted support is underway. The second four-year inspection cycle has begun and includes the Sixth Form Centre as a standalone institution.
The Joyous Childhood events demonstrate our integrated Early Years approach across education, health, social care and family support. Getting the early years right is crucial, as early development shapes lifelong outcomes. The September conference brought together over 150 practitioners, strengthening professional inclusive practice and improving quality, as reflected in inspections and parent feedback. A family event in January welcomed more than 600 children and parents, and work continues to provide clear, accessible guidance through a single online hub.
The Initial Teacher Training programme means we are growing teaching talent to replace those retiring after many years of dedicated service. We continue to see a reduction in pupil registrations for Reception Year, and manage this by reducing the number of Reception classes to ensure an effective and efficient use of resources. We have strengthened the connections between pre-schools and primary schools to ensure our Reception staff know and can support the children starting school each September.
Thanks to funds redirected from Family Allowance some years ago, all States primary pupils, including those in Alderney, benefit from a comprehensive cultural enrichment programme, recently enhanced to maximise local resources and value for money.
Alongside established activities such as Water Confidence, the Art for Guernsey Renoir project, La Société Nature education and the Maths Roadshow, new additions include The Music of Nature workshops, visits to the Dairy and local farms, the Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition at Candie Museum, mock jury experiences at the Royal Court, and author visits with story sacks for every class.
Sir, the move from primary to secondary school can be challenging for some children. Following feedback in 2025, we now have bespoke Enhanced Visits for more vulnerable children and a more consistent Universal Visit Programme, to ensure all children are well prepared for the move and can settle quickly into secondary school.
Following staff reorganisation within the Secondary School Partnership, the integration of staff from the Guernsey Training Agency, the Institute of Health & Social Care Studies and the College of Further Education into The Guernsey Institute is progressing well. Initial consultation on the new staffing structure is complete, and digital integration is underway to support an efficient operating model.
Construction of Phase 1 at Les Ozouets Campus is advancing, with the main building’s steel frame in place and the apprentices’ block underway. Despite recent poor weather, our contractor, Rok Limited, advises that timelines remain on track for a summer 2027 opening, and the project forecasts delivery within budget.
Sir, Members will recall that Phase 1 at Les Ozouets included foundations for the Sixth Form Centre. The Committee has informed Policy & Resources of its intention to remove this element from Phase 1.
The reasons fall under three headings: risk, timing and construction methodology. First, having one contractor install foundations that may later be built on by another introduces unnecessary risk. Second, Phase 2 timelines would leave foundations exposed to the elements for longer than is advisable, creating further risk. Third, the originally envisaged foundation methodology has since been revised. Together, these factors make delaying installation the prudent course of action.
Beau Sejour celebrates its 50th anniversary this December.It generated an estimated minimum social value of £1.4m in 2025.
A sustainability review is underway, with conclusions expected by Quarter 2 2026. Extensive consultation confirms the Centre’s clear purpose: to be a trusted, welcoming and inclusive hub at the heart of island life, supporting wellbeing, connection and community across generations. This means providing safe, affordable and accessible spaces, enabling people to be active, stay connected and look after their health as part of everyday life.
Delivering this vision requires a joined-up, cross-government approach focused on integrated, customer-centred services. However, ageing facilities mean rising maintenance costs, and continuing as we are is not sustainable. The Committee is therefore exploring all options to secure a financially sustainable solution for the future.
2027 marks the 1000th anniversary of William the Conqueror’s birth and the launch of Millennium: the European Year of the Normans, celebrating Norman influence across Europe. For Guernsey, this is a valuable opportunity to celebrate our heritage and deep Norman roots.
The Normans shaped the political, legal and cultural landscape of medieval Europe, and their legacy remains central to our island identity. This anniversary is not only about reflection, but about strengthening modern links with Normandy and other regions, while realising cultural and tourism benefits.
Guernsey is planning a wide-ranging programme, with thirty-nine local projects already submitted for European recognition.
9 May 2026 marks the 81st anniversary of Guernsey’s Liberation. While milestone years feature expanded programmes, ‘every year is special’ and this year will centre on St Peter Port, with small grants available for parish celebrations to broaden community involvement and ease pressure in town.
The budget is already largely committed to essential logistics, and sponsorship is being sought. Planned activities include a seafront road race, parade, church service and cavalcade display; family events at Crown Pier; food, music and stalls at Albert Pier; a free event at Castle Cornet; fireworks; and an island-wide cavalcade. Community hampers will also be provided, ensuring an inclusive and respectful commemoration.
Sir, the Committee is determined to ensure we give sufficient time and energy to all areas of our mandate, and we have committed to produce a Culture, Leisure & Heritage Strategy to provide a clear and shared vision for how we celebrate, protect and sustainably develop our unique cultural and historic assets. We are in the process of reinvigorating our relationships with the many commissions and organisations who we support through grant funding, to ensure we operate cohesively to a set of common aims and objectives.
Finally, Sir along with some of my committee colleagues I was privileged to visit St Martins Primary School for the local launch of the National Year of Reading. We are indeed through our schools encouraging young people to keep on reading for pleasure, but may I take this opportunity to encourage us all to reignite our love of reading.