Letter From Minister for Education re Written Questions - 7 October 2019

19-21 Broad Street | St Helier Jersey | JE2 4RR

Connétable Mike Jackson

Environment, Housing and Infrastructure Scrutiny Panel Scrutiny Office

States Greffe

Morier House

St Helier

JE1 1DD

07 October 2019

Dear Chairman

Government Plan 2020 – Written Questions  

Thank you for your letter of 19 September 2019 requesting further information on the Government Plan. Please see the below answers to the specific questions asked.

Jersey Music Service Premises

1. When can we expect a decision to be made regarding the premises for the JMS?

The proposed Government Plan 2020-23 has identified feasibility funding to explore the requirements for the construction of a new Jersey Music Service for 2020. This work is scheduled to commence in 2020 with recommendations to inform the decision made during the year.

2. What consultation have you had with the Minister for Children and Housing regarding the facilities that will be required within any new building resulting from this CSP?

The Minister for Children and Housing is also an Assistant Minister for Education and is therefore routinely involved in Education portfolio decisions.

3. The Business Case for this project includes the option of constructing a new facility next to "an existing St. Helier secondary school." Have you identified which school, or which sites, could be used for this purpose?

Feasibility work for the construction of a new Jersey Music Service (JMS) was undertaken during the last MTFP period as part of the Grainville Phase 5 project. A decision during the last term of office was taken to detach the JMS project from phase 5 and include in a later iteration of the Capital Programme. During the feasibility work a new location will be identified, which if appropriate, could be on the site of an existing school.

4. In the event of the construction of a new Victoria College Preparatory School on Heathfield, what is the likelihood that new JMS premises would form part of that project?

Feasibility work for a new Victoria College Preparatory School (VCP) and Jersey Music Service (JMS) is due to be completed in 2020. Due consideration following the recommendations made will be given to the location of JMS and whether a joint location with VCP is appropriate or even possible.

Victoria College Preparatory School

5. We note that the option of a new build on Heathfield was recommended by the Department. How will out-of-doors activities, such as Sport's Days and athletic events, be affected if these premises are now replaced by a new school? How will sites such as College Field be affected?

The Heathfield option in the 2014 feasibility study includes provision for outdoor activities and identifies the plans to build new sports fields in field 775 increasing the amount of sports facilities available. No impact on College Field is mentioned in the feasibility study.

6. What work has the Department undertaken to identify how new facilities should be designed to provide enhanced education benefits?

Successful projects require a committed and experienced team and this has shown to bear fruit at projects such as Les Quennevais and St Martins. JPH have excellent experience working alongside education colleagues and external consultants on education projects. All keep abreast of new ideas and bench mark against other projects to ensure we are able to provide the best school environment for pupils and staff. Having consistent staff working on these projects has enabled an excellent understanding of Government procedures, ensuring effective project management. Coupled with this will be a passion for the project by all involved, good communication and excellent subject knowledge. Relationships have been built over time which fosters good working practices with other areas of Government, including Planning, Building Control and the Law Officers. All of this enables JPH and Officers in Education to learn from previous projects to ensure future projects build on the knowledge and experience of the team.

The 2014 feasibility study will be used as the starting point for the new feasibility work. This study, which references Building Bulletin 99 (which outlines standards for the construction of new primary schools), will be updated to ensure modern approaches to the delivery of education and updated building standards are included.

7. Which option identified in the feasibility study are you most preferable towards? Why was it not made explicit in the Business Case?

I do not have a preference for any option in the feasibility study. Option D was recommended in the 2014 feasibility study and this was to build on Heathfield and demolish Heathfield house, using that land for part of the school. Option preference was not made explicit in the business case as I would like to ensure, considering the capital programmes put forward by this department in the past, that this option is the appropriate one since 5 years have passed.

8. What work will this new CSP consist of, and what role will the Department for Education have within it?

As Minister for Education I have a wide-ranging role within the CSP Putting Children First. The Minister for Children is also Assistant Minister for Education which enhances the collaborative working within CYPES.

9. What consultation have you had with the Minister for Children and Housing about how this new consideration should be organised?

The Minister for Children and Housing is also an Assistant Minister for Education and is therefore routinely involved in my portfolio decisions.

10. Do you believe that £3 million is a satisfactory level of investment for the project you wish to undertake?

£3million is not the total cost. It is a satisfactory level of investment to carry out the works planned within the timeframe of the Government Plan with additional investment required from 2024.

11. Do you expect a conclusion to be reached - and work to begin on redeveloping VCP – by the time of the next Election?

I am committed to ensuring this project is underway by the next election. Le Squez Youth Centre

12. What work do you intend to conduct with the Minister for Children and Housing, schools, and other stakeholders to enhance the educational opportunities available at the Youth Centre?

If the commitment within the proposed Government Plan is agreed during November we will then be able to develop a consultation plan with relevant stakeholders, including those mentioned above, to ensure the educational potential of the centre is maximised. It is the aim that a community hub which will include a youth provision will be completed by 2023. This will involve working alongside CLS with the aim for community hubs to be established alongside a youth provision.

13. When can we expect a new or refurbished Youth Centre to be delivered by? It is anticipated this project will be completed in 2023.
14. How might these premises be used by other schools and groups within your Department's remit?

It is the intention that the premises would be utilised by community hubs alongside the youth provision. It is an excellent example of a multi governmental strategy, with collaborative working amongst CYPES and Health and Community Services.

The intention would be similar to the other Centres that are administered on behalf of GOJ which are regularly used by Schools, other groups working with Young People and, where possible, other community groups.

15. How will you work with other Youth Centres to provide these opportunities?

Other Youth Centres already provide similar opportunities and a refurbished/new Centre at Le Squez would be part of, and be linked into, the full benefits that being part of the CYPES/Youth Service network provides.

A long-standing tradition for Education and the Youth Service working together and sharing facilities an example of this is St Aubin's Fort and Crabbe.  

North of St Helier Youth Centre

16. What work do you expect the Department for Education to conduct on ensuring that a new Youth Facility provides leading educational opportunities?

Much of this work has already been completed with Youth Service Officers having made contact and visited successful state of the art, fit for purpose, Youth Centres, in the UK. This exercise has provided valuable insight into the most effective design of a new Centre and the resourcing required to maximise the educational opportunities.

17. When can we expect a new or refurbished Youth Centre to be delivered by? It is anticipated this project will be completed in 2023.
18. The Business Case notes that it will provide "alternative after-school facilities and services for working parents based in town." What role will you have in designing and developing these alternatives, and will you be working with schools and other educational organisations to provide them?

As the centre will be part of the Education/CYPES portfolio, the integrated design and delivery of these alternative services is a priority for the department and has informed, and will continue to inform, our planning and thinking especially in terms of the appropriate location for the new centre and the services that will be provided as a result

19. How will you work with other Youth Centres to provide these opportunities?

This new Centre will be an opportunity to further demonstrate Government's commitment to putting children, young people & families first and will be a flagship' model of how we wish to provide services. With a refurbished / rebuilt Centre at Le Squez, this new Centre will be part of, and be linked into, the full benefits that being part of the CYPES/Youth Service network provides. These included added opportunity with working with CLS and supporting Community hubs.

Mont a l'Abbe Secondary School

20. We note that the Business Case refers to a "growing number of pupils with a Special Education Needs (SEN) profile identified as requiring "above ordinarily available" level provision". Have these SEN profiles listed more diverse needs than in previous years, and if so, what is the Department for Education doing to provide for them?

There is evidence through the demographics that the numbers of complex special education needs cases is increasing. Many pupils can be educated in their local school with additional support provided by mainstream and specialist teaching staff. However, the higher numbers of complex need is reflected by an increase in numbers of pupils requiring specialist education provision delivered by Mont a l'Abbe School. The school has seen a 58% increase in pupil numbers rising from 66 in September 2014 to 104 on roll as at September 2019.

21. Will additional staff be required?

If pupil numbers continue to rise year on year, then an additional teacher and additional teaching assistants will be required. There are currently 104 pupils on roll and this figure is expected to rise to 113 pupils in September 2020.

22. What are the primary educational challenges that this project will be required to address?

Currently the school is utilising Grands Vaux Youth and Community Centre as a learning base for a class of pupils. It is not appropriate for all learners to be away from the school, the expertise of the wider team and specialist facilities. The need to use space at Grands Vaux Youth and Community Centre has eased the pressure at the school caused by high pupil numbers. Many of the pupils at the school have high levels of anxiety therefore, the school's leadership must ensure there is sufficient physical space for classes to operate from.

23. Will your department be undertaking preliminary work on the three requirements set out in the provided business case prior to 2023?

1. Provide a single campus for all Mont á l'Abbe Pupils.
2. Extend provision from nineteen to twenty-five years.
3. Provide a respite care provision on Campus.

The proposed Government Plan 2020-23 has identified feasibility funding to explore the requirements for the construction of a new secondary school site for Mont a l'Abbe School for 2022. Alongside this piece of work the School funding review will ensure they are appropriately funded.

24. What role will the Department for Education play in the integration of support for families?

Answer to follow by 5pm Wednesday 9th October. Review of Greenfields

25. The Business Case notes that there has been a "change in ethos" since 2006 regarding youth justice in Jersey. How has this affected the Department for Education's approach to Greenfields?

Whilst the lead department for the business case is Children, Young People, Education and Skills (CYPES) the primary Minister for this project is the Minister for Children and Housing. My responsibility for Greenfields is limited to ensuring that anyone detained there of compulsory school age, receives Education.

26. What work will the Department for Education be undertaking as part of this Project?

The Minister for Children and Housing and I work closely together and will ensure that a high standard of appropriate Education provision is available in accordance with my responsibility.

27. The Business Case states that there is an "opportunity" for the site to "provide a different response to the Children of Jersey." What does this mean in regards to how educational opportunities are approached at this site?

The feasibility study will review the whole of the Greenfields site, including the buildings occupied by La Sente School. The opportunity for greater sharing of facilities across the site and access to specialist care will be investigated.

28. What work do you intend to conduct with the Minister for Children and Housing on redesigning and/or refurbishing the site?

The Minister for Children and Housing is also an Assistant Minister for Education. We will ensure that any redesign or refurbishment of the facility provides the appropriate resources to deliver a high-quality education provision.

Further Education Campus (pre-feasibility only)

29. Please can you provide a breakdown of precisely what the 400k requested for a prefeasibility study will cover? How has this figure been calculated?

The feasibility funding identified in the Government Plan will be used to appoint a team to review the requirements for the project. This will include the appointments of an Architect, Structural Engineer, Mechanical & Electrical Engineers, cost adviser (Quantity Surveyor) and Health & Safety Project Coordinator. Additional specialist services may be required i.e. topographical surveys, ground investigation, asbestos surveys etc. The information generated from this work will enable a planning application to be developed from the following information:

• Findings from exemplar College Visits

• Consultation & Engagement Workshops

• Option Generation & Review

• External Stakeholder Engagement

• Preferred Option outline

• Client Presentation.

• High Level cost plan.

• Programme.

• Risk Register.

30. What precisely will the pre-feasibility study look at?

The pre-feasibility study report will cover the project strategic definition and brief and incorporate the following key headings/activities:

1. Education and Outline Business Case Review
2. Baseline Analysis – Existing Site
3. Baseline Analysis – Potential Sites

If you require any further information, please do not hesitate to contact me again. Yours sincerely,

Senator Tracey Vallois Minister for Education

D +44 (0)1534 448394 E t.vallois@gov.je