ESC and The Three Colleges at odds over future funding

The Three Colleges (Blanchelande, Elizabeth College and The Ladies’ College) have been unable to reach agreement with Education Sport and Culture (ESC) over a realistic level of future States funding that will allow the colleges to remain inclusive.

The States of Guernsey agreed in 2012 to gradually reduce the level of grant aid to the colleges over a seven year period. Following the decision of the States in 2016 to move away from selection at 11 and cease the funding of 52 special place holders per school year across the three colleges, discussions have taken place over the future level of States funding.

The colleges were instigators of consultative meetings with ESC late last year and have been willing participants throughout the discussions.

During the discussions the ESC representatives did not move from their opening position which is not conducive to achieving The Three Colleges’ objective – to be inclusive and remain an integral and valuable part of Guernsey’s secondary education provision.

The colleges educate one third of Guernsey’s secondary school aged students and wish to remain integral to secondary education in Guernsey.

The Three Colleges are unanimous and speak as one on this issue.

“We have attempted to negotiate a contribution which is significantly lower than the amount the States granted to the colleges in the past but would still enable us to provide assisted places to those who would otherwise not be able to afford private school fees. Without a realistic contribution from ESC entry to the colleges will be restricted to those with the ability to pay – an alternative form of selection,” said Allister Langlois, an Associate Governor at The Ladies’ College and the spokesperson for The Three Colleges.

The Three Colleges offer stability, value, capacity and choice within Guernsey’s education system. They are non-profit-making schools and States funding will be used to assist pupils from less affluent backgrounds.

“We are confident that the majority of States members recognise and appreciate the role that the colleges have to play in the future of secondary education and will want to support that financially,” said Mr Langlois.

“We await the publication of ESC’s policy letter on future college funding and will respond once we have had the opportunity to review it thoroughly.”