No explanation for late recruitment of Victoria College head

Tuesday 11 May 2021

The Government has declined to explain why it is only now recruiting for an interim head of Victoria College when the successful candidate is due to start in September.

The application process for the full-time role, which requires five years of residency, opened at the end of last month and closed last Thursday.

Usually, teachers have to give at least a term’s notice when moving to a new school.

The recruitment details, which were posted on the Government's jobs page, said: “Owing to the retirement of the current long-serving postholder, Mr Alun Watkins, we have a vacancy at Victoria College for the key leadership role of headteacher. 

“The Minister and the Governing Body are keen to recruit the highest calibre school leader to lead and manage Victoria College. This is an interim position in the first instance, for the academic year 2021-2022.”

Express asked the Government why the recruitment process only began this term but did not receive a reply.

However, it did provide a statement from Assistant Minister for Children and Education Scott Wickenden, who said: “The position is being recruited as interim to coincide with the ongoing Education Reform Programme, which will build on the Independent School Funding Review, the Big Education Conversation and the Tertiary Strategy to improve Jersey’s education provision.

“The recruitment process is being overseen by the Jersey Appointments Commission, and recruitment will close on Thursday 6 May and further details will be announced when an appointment has been made.”

Pictured: Assistant Education Minister Deputy Scott Wickenden said the appointment would coincide with the ongoing Education Reform Programme.

It is understood that the Education Department also wrote to all headteachers to invite applications from senior teachers at other schools in the island.

The three-year Education Reform Programme was launched last year to create a “new model” for education in Jersey and is expected to include updating laws and investing in early years schooling. 

The Independent School Funding Programme, published last October, called for an extra £8.5m of education funding a year. Specifically, it noted that JCG and Victoria College “have different fee levels without a clear rationale."

One of the conclusions of the Big Education Conversation was that “there is acknowledgement that Jersey’s education system has significant structural complexities and sensitivities, many which are culturally ingrained, that must be addressed to improve the education system.”

It added: “Non-fee-paying primary and secondary schools do not think that they are on a level-playing field with fee-paying schools in terms of access to per-pupil spend; buildings and facilities; and additional learning opportunities.”