Education minister offers to quit over poor exam results

Guernsey's education minister has offered to resign after disappointing GCSE results at schools on the island.

The percentage of pupils getting five GCSEs at grades A* to C, including English and Maths, dropped at three high schools.

The most significant drop was at La Mare de Carteret, down to 12%, compared with 24% in 2010.

Deputy Carol Steere said she wanted the States to decide if she was the right person for the job.

Her offer was followed by other members of the department's board as Deputy Matt Fallaize and Deputy Mike Collins also tendered their resignations.

Chief Minister Lyndon Trott has called for a "root and branch review of education services".

'Entire' review

He said: "Islanders, like most members of the States, have been truly shocked by the performance of Guernsey's secondary schools.

"There has clearly been a basic failure in public services. This is unacceptable, not least to the pupils and parents that are being let down.

"What matters now is how we turn round Guernsey's secondary schools."

Following this call the Deputy Minister Tony Spruce offered his resignation.

He said: "I fully endorse Deputy Trott's proposal for a full root and branch review be undertaken of the entire education service.

"It is, of course, absolutely vital that every aspect of the service performs at the highest level."

It left Deputy David De Lisle as the sole member of the board who has not offered to stand down.

'No concealment'

The resignations will be debated by the States in October.

Calls to release individual results for the schools have been made since pupils received their results in August.

At that time the Education Department said of the 620 students in Guernsey and Alderney, 62.7% passed five or more GCSEs at grades A*-C.

The department revealed the provisional results for the high schools in response to a question in the States by Deputy Jane Stephens.

Deputy Steere said the department was not trying to hide anything by not publishing the details, but was worried the release of further information would lead to the creation of an undesirable league table system.