It has now been revealed Ms Sealy had applied for the job of Director of Education, which was given to Laurie Baker who is in the process of moving to the island to take up that role. The Committee for Education, Sport and Culture was impressed with Ms Sealy during that recruitment process and wanted to bring her on board too so the new role was created. The position was opened up to other applicants and when a local candidate received the backing of the majority of the interview panel, they were offered the position and verbally accepted before the job offer was withdrawn.
P&R said it has now decided to pass comment on this situation because of the widespread public attention it has received.
“The Policy & Resources Committee does not, as a matter of policy, normally comment on employment issues relating to individuals. However, the Committee has decided to make an exception in this case, given the significant media coverage and the understandable questions it has prompted from the public and States’ members.”
Pictured: P&R l-r: Deputies Gavin St Pier, Lyndon Trott, Jonathan Le Tocq, Jane Stephens, Al Brouard.
P&R has said while its Committee President, Deputy Gavin St Pier, was not involved in or aware of the detail of the recruitment process for the post of Head of Curriculum and Standards, there were concerns raised about “the governance and decision-making in relation to both the identification of the role and the process for filling it.”
The full P&R Committee then asked the Chief Executive to begin an internal, fact-finding exercise. Paul Whitfield asked an experienced senior officer, who had not been involved in the appointment, to carry out that exercise. However, it was suspended when it became apparent that an Employment Tribunal was likely to get underway.
As that Tribunal is no longer expected to go ahead, P&R has said the fact-finding process will resume.
Pictured: Paul Whitfield, the States Chief Executive, was asked to find out what had happened.
While the public debate continues over the ESC President’s role and what could or should happen if any wrong doing is found to have occurred, comparisons have been drawn with the recent allegations of bullying within the Committee for Home Affairs which led to calls for the President and her Committee members to resign.
P&R has said no conclusions can be drawn from the ESC matter until after a review has been concluded.
“The Policy & Resources Committee is conscious of the parallels being drawn between this matter and other ongoing political discussions to do with ‘governance’. As has already been stated publically, the Committee for Education, Sport & Culture will soon undergo an independent governance review, similar to those carried out with the Committees for Health & Social Care and Home Affairs and as is currently underway for the Policy & Resources Committee.
“It is only after such a review that a judgement can be made as to how well governance principles have been observed by a particular committee. The Policy & Resources Committee is determined to see the recommendations that come from all of these governance reviews implemented.”
Pictured: The Home Affairs Committee recently came under fire, with calls to resign, following claims of bullying made in a review.
P&R has said the focus should be on the transformation of secondary education, which is reaching a crucial point with a State debate due in September on funding the development of two larger colleges. Express has learned a number of amendments are expected against the proposals, with a price tag of £157million (including the redevelopment of La Mare de Carteret primary and the Guernsey Institute), which could include a call for the retention of four States run secondary schools.
P&R said; “whatever the outcome of the fact-finding exercise and any steps that may follow as a result, the Policy & Resources Committee is concerned that focus should be maintained on one of the government’s most important priorities, the transformation of secondary education.
“Parents, students and the wider community are looking to the States to deliver on their promises and to give real certainty as to the future of the education system. The States must ensure this major transformation programme moves forward and local children are not left with an unclear future.”
P&R’s full statement can be read here.
A statement released by Education, Sport and Culture can be read here.
Pictured top: ESC President, Deputy Matt Fallaize and P&R President, Deputy Gavin St Pier.