For some considerable time, the council had been in discussion with a range of different partners about the way we educate our children, including parents, schoolchildren, governors, teachers, unions, educational specialists, other local authorities and government advisors.

For a number of years the standards of education on the Island have been mostly at the lower end of the scale compared to other parts of the country. This has a negative effect on the future of children and young people on the Island and our economic growth and development. The council is determined that this should not continue.

After much thought and discussion the council has concluded that the current structure for schools will not allow us to deliver the necessary improvements in standards and consequent benefits to the Island.

The council recognises that a change in structure will not itself bring about the desired improvements but believes it is an important part of the process. This process – alongside other measures such as re-enthusing teaching staff, improving collaboration between schools, better methods of transition between schools and raising the aspirations of young people – will enable us to achieve our goals.