The newly elected Committee for Education, Sport & Culture has reaffirmed its support for ‘Governance Boards’ saying they will continue the work started by their unseated predecessors.

Three of the five members of the former ESC lost their seats at June’s election.

They had started work to introduce Governance Boards into States maintained schools and The Guernsey Institute last year under plans to reform education laws.

Members were appointed to the Governance Boards earlier this year, ahead of the election in June.

Former ESC President Andrea Dudley-Owen, former ESC Vice President Sam Haskins, and ESC committee member Sue Aldwell then lost their seats.

Deputy Andy Cameron, who had been a vocal opponent of many of the last ESC’s policies, was re-elected to the committee in July, and is now its Vice President. He supports ESC President Deputy Paul Montague in his role, along with committee members deputies Sarah Hansmann Rouxel, Jayne Ozanne, and Aidan Matthews.

Together they’ve voiced their commitment to “giving States schools and The Guernsey Institute greater autonomy by continuing the establishment of independent education governance boards”.

“The Committee recognised the importance of this work right from the outset and has already devoted considerable time to it,” said Deputy Montague.

“We are determined to put communities at the heart of education, and at the same time we want to ensure our education settings and their Headteachers and Principals are well-supported by governance boards that are empowered and appropriately accountable as they take on more responsibility.

“We have been impressed by the applicants for the role of Chair for each board and look forward to completing the recruitment process as soon as possible. We are also grateful to those members of the community who are already serving on the interim boards.

“As a new Committee, we are encouraged by the possibilities the new legislation opens up, and we are very keen to ensure each governance board has the tools they need to make a positive contribution to the lives of the children, young people and adult learners they support.”

Deputy Montague will give his first update on ESC’s work to the States at its first meeting back after the summer holidays, in September.

Later in the year, there will be a further round of recruitment for additional members of the boards.

ESC said it is also exploring ways to build upon the long-standing connections between schools and Douzaines and is hoping to meet with parish officials after the summer break to ensure they can meaningfully contribute to the governance arrangements.