Class sizes increasing due to 'bulge of students'

Deputy Andrea Dudley-Owen said she did not believe larger class sizes were having an effect on staff morale

The average size of maths and English classes in Guernsey secondary schools has risen by about 1.5 students over the past two years, according to States figures.

Information on Guernsey class sizes was released by the Committee for Education, Sport and Culture after a written question from Deputy Lindsay de Sausmarez.

The figures showed Les Beaucamps High - which has the largest number of pupils in the bailiwick - had an average Year 11 maths class of 26.8, up from 24.3, and an average English class of 27, up from 24.3.

Education President Deputy Andrea Dudley-Owen said the increase was reflective of a larger number of students entering the school system.

'Extra support'

She said: "It reflects the bulge of students coming through our system at the moment, which we are expected to move through in 2029-2030.

"Also the reorganisation of post-16 and secondary schools, where we have a great numbers of students split across three of ours schools.

"The numbers are reflective of that change.

"There is extra support in the form of learning support assistants within those classes."

The committee said it had been undertaking targeted work through its strategy to improve standards and technology in schools, including rolling out new IT systems.

'Pockets of discontent'

Dudley-Owen said she did not believe the larger class sizes were having an effect on staff morale.

"We are asking our workforce to bear with us, to stick with us, to focus on the greater priorities within the education strategy and for them to come on the journey with us," she said.

"We recognise that it's been really challenging and we are starting to see some evidence that work is coming to fruition now in terms of the output for our students."

She acknowledged there would be "pockets of discontent" but work to improve the system "takes time".

"We are changing the culture to engender trust and a more collaborative working environment," she said.

"We've got a really big workforce... but we seek to support each individual and collectively as a staff group."