Sue Coughlin has been appointed the new Executive Head Teacher of Sark School.
The “long-standing and experienced Head Teacher at Hautes Capelles” will be overseeing the only school in Sark from September onwards.
Her new role will take up the equivalent of one day a week and she’ll continue to be based in Guernsey, working at Hautes Capelles Primary.
Two other teachers are moving to Sark full time to work at the island’s school, with all three staff members’ wages to be paid by Sark.
Guernsey’s Head of Operations for Education said Mrs Coughlin and the two other teachers have been given the jobs after Sark asked for help.
The island’s former Head Teacher was sacked for not disclosing her son’s prosecution for child sex offences, despite the fact she had allowed him to work with Sark’s children, including on overnight school trips.
Six other school staff are also leaving this summer, either to progress their careers elsewhere or because they are moving off-island.
“Following discussions this past term, the Guernsey Education Office received a formal request from the Government of Sark for support from the beginning of the new academic year,” explained Sophie Roughsedge.
“We have agreed to provide two teachers, including a lead teacher, to support Sark School for the upcoming academic year. This has been further strengthened by the appointment of an Executive Head Teacher for the equivalent of one day a week.
“Mrs Sue Coughlin, long-standing and experienced Head Teacher at Hautes Capelles will take up this role and provide the school with clear and stable leadership.
“These staffing costs are being met by Sark.”
Sark’s education system is run by Chief Pleas with the Chair of the Education Committee recently confirming the reasons behind Michelle Brady’s dismissal.
Conseiller Carol Cragoe announced how things are going to change going forward, following a safeguarding review.
She said that the Sark Education Committee has been working closely with the school’s Board of Governors and with Guernsey Education “to ensure that [Sark] school is properly supported and appropriately staffed in September”.
Ms Roughsedge said this situation is unusual but Guernsey is happy to help.
“Although Sark falls outside Guernsey Education Office’s formal remit, our priority is always to make sure every learner across the Bailiwick has access to the best possible education.
“Parents, staff and pupils at Sark School can be reassured that we are working hand-in-hand with Sark’s Education Committee and Sark School to put strong foundations in place now, to secure a stable, positive future for the school, and to minimise any impact to its pupils.”
