A new primary school proposed for the former Jersey Gas site would create “a modern, inclusive and inspiring learning environment” for children living in St Helier, the Education Minister has said.

The government plans to close St Luke’s and Springfield schools and replace them with a new primary school on the site next to Millennium Town Park, with the Springfield School site freed up for a potential park.

It come after the Budget, published last month, revealed that the Infrastructure Minister agreed to buy the Gas Place site from Andium Homes “for the development of a new town-based school”.

If the Budget is approved by the States Assembly later this year, the site on Tunnel Street would be purchased for a “nominal amount” of £1 to “ensure that the purchase can proceed without delay”.

More than £12 million was set aside for the new two-form entry school at Gas Place in the 2025-2029 Budget.

In a video statement shared on social media, Deputy Rob Ward said the project would address long-standing issues at the two schools, which he described as “falling short”.

“Classrooms are cramped, outdoor spaces well below recommended levels, and there’s no dedicated provision for children with additional needs,” he said.

He added that Springfield’s internal space was “far below what’s needed”, while St Luke’s had classrooms that were too small and “less than half the recommended play area”.

Deputy Ward also pointed to the growth of La Passerelle, a specialist facility for children with additional needs, which has increased from five pupils to 25 in five years.

“The facilities haven’t kept pace,” he said.

He said the new school would bring together Springfield, St Luke’s and La Passerelle on one site, with more than 5,000 square metres of outdoor space and specialist facilities designed to support inclusion.

According to Deputy Ward, the location would allow families to walk rather than drive, reduce car use, and save around £427,000 a year in running costs.

The existing Springfield site, he said, would be transformed into a new town park with another 5,000 square metres of green space.

“This isn’t just about bricks and mortar. This is about fairness,” he said.

“These schools serve some of our most diverse and vulnerable communities, yet they have the least space and the oldest buildings. We have a chance to change that.”

The proposal comes ahead of a debate later this month on a proposition put forward by St Helier Constable Simon Crowcroft.

The Constable, who is also an Assistant Infrastructure Minister, has called for the government to reassess the need for a new town school in light of Jersey’s changing demographics, including its falling birth rate.

Constable Crowcroft also wanted an assessment of the “likely impact” of doubling the size of the Millennium Town Park, a proposal he has previously brought to the States Assembly.

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