A major change in the organisation of Jersey’s schools has been announced – with the grouping of all non-fee-paying schools into four ‘partnerships’, each led by an individual recruited from the ranks of existing headteachers.
Education Minister Rob Ward said that the restructure marked a “significant moment” for the island’s education system.
The changes are being made to help schools work more closely together and respond to pressures such as declining pupil numbers, rising Special Educational Needs and Disabilities demand, and increasing financial pressures.
The partnerships will cover East, West, and two Town groups. They will be based on existing secondary-school catchment areas and their feeder primary schools.
Recruitment for the four ‘Partnership Lead’ roles is being overseen by the Jersey Appointments Commission and is open to headteachers and former headteachers currently working in the government.
The Children, Young People, Education and Skills department say that the changes will not require any extra funding and will be covered by a reorganisation of leadership roles in CYPES.
Deputy Ward said: “These changes mark a significant moment for Jersey’s education system.
“By introducing formal partnerships, we are strengthening the way our schools work together so that every child benefits from the collective expertise, resources, and dedication across the island.
“Our schools are facing complex pressures from changing demographics to rising needs and they cannot face these challenges in isolation.”
The changes follow a year-long review led by the CYPES Interim Chief Officer Keith Posner, two seconded headteachers and specialist advisers.
The review involved engagement with headteachers, deputy headteachers, education officers, the Parent Carer Forum, and colleagues in the UK.
CYPES say that its research shows that close to nine-out-of-ten headteachers and deputy headteachers support the changes.
The reorganisation will be run as a two-year trial across all non-fee-paying schools.
Fee-paying colleges, Hautlieu, special schools, and Highlands College will continue to work closely with other schools but will not join the new structure.