Reducing public funding of the three colleges will not lead to savings, they have said as they counter Education’s case to scrap the grant.
It also believes that the grant was widening inequality in the secondary sector and was unnecessary “for a private business”.
Blanchelande College, Elizabeth College, and The Ladies’ College all want the States’ financial support for the Colleges to continue at its current level, which this year will amount to £3m.
“Firstly, the Colleges are clear that reducing funding will not be a saving.
“The three Colleges believe that maintaining the existing approach and level of funding provides significant financial savings and long-term economic value to the States of Guernsey and the taxpayers of the Bailiwick.
“Conversely, we believe a reduction of funding will cost the States more money and is likely to destabilise the whole education sector. In the short term this will be a cost increase, but long term will also have a negative impact on the island’s competitive advantage and ultimately our wider economy.”
The colleges educate around 30% of the island’s secondary school children for around 3% of the estimated total Education budget, they said.
“We recognise the States’ financial position but believe this is not a sustainable saving because children cannot be accommodated into the States’ sector without additional cost.
“It is also important to consider that 34% to 39% of the children in each of the Colleges are on the Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) register, meaning the financial and resourcing impact on the States of Guernsey is likely to increase further.
“Between 30% to 37% of children in the independent Colleges (at primary and secondary age) come from families in the bottom three quintiles of income distribution. Therefore, it is too simplistic to argue that removing funding will not have an adverse impact on our parents.”
They point out that the independent Colleges are all not-for-profit organisations, as opposed to private businesses.
“All three Colleges run at high levels of efficiencies and at much lower fees than comparable cost of living areas in the UK. This ensures that the widest possible number of young people can attend the Colleges.”
The Colleges stressed that their funding has not increased.
In 2019, the total combined grant to Elizabeth College, Ladies College and Blanchelande College was £4.218m. This has fallen to £3.048m. for 2025.
Reductions were also made prior to 2019.
“We are very concerned by the suggestion that the challenges in attainment in the States’ sector are caused by parents choosing to send their children to the Colleges.
“We agree with Deputy Dudley-Owen that education should not be used as a “political pawn” in this conversation and thus were disappointed by the intimation that removing funding from the independent sector would somehow address the attainment gap.”
Full details of both Education’s plan and the counter proposal by the colleges is expected next week.
“The Colleges have proposed genuine and impactful ways for schools to collaborate that build direct relationships between educators and educational institutions.
“At this time of economic challenge and significant global change, the island needs to remain competitive as a jurisdiction and a stable, forward-thinking education sector, which includes an independent offering, is a critical part of the island’s attractiveness as a place to do business.
“Education is a key consideration for families and businesses choosing to move to or remain on the island, and the independent sector is a critical part of the island’s appeal. Many jurisdictions, such as Jersey, Australia, New Zealand and the USA, subsidise their independent schools to strengthen their economies and maintain competitiveness.”