Jersey companies 'should design lessons'

John McGuinness wants Jersey companies to help design courses

Employers should have more say over what young people learn at school, according to a Jersey head teacher.

Teenagers at Grainville School can study work-related courses as well as traditional academic subjects.

Head teacher John McGuinness said learning trades such as hairdressing and building made it easier for school-leavers to find work.

He said he wanted local companies to help design those courses to ensure pupils had useful work skills.

Mr McGuinness said: "It doesn't actually have a GCSE equivalent but it develops them as individuals and for many of our students gives them links to future apprenticeships and employment at 16.

"We are really proud for our school 16-year olds are three times more likely to go into work directly from school than other 16-year olds in the island."

About 50 pupils at his school are learning trades such as beauty therapy and catering, as well as traditional subjects such as maths and science.