New school term delayed until week on Monday

Thursday 31 December 2020

The start of the school spring term for many island students has been delayed again - until Monday 11 January.

The original start date for Government schools was this Monday but that was delayed until Wednesday to give teachers more time to prepare after the disrupted autumn term.

Now the start has been delayed again for a new testing programme to be set up.

Education Minister Tracey Vallois said: “We are delaying the start of term for Government of Jersey schools until Monday 11 January in order to stand up a voluntary testing programme for all Government and private school staff and students in Years 11, 12 and 13.

 “This is the safest way forward and gives parents, young people, and our hard-working staff even greater security around their health and wellbeing.

 “As previously announced, teachers and the wider school and college staff teams will be working from Monday 4th in preparing to welcome back our young people, and some schools will be open for students preparing for or sitting exams.

 “Head teachers will be notifying their staff and parents and carers directly with more details.”

Tim Balston, Secretary of the Jersey branch of the National Education Union, said that the union was pleased that a number of their concerns had been addressed with this announcement. 

“We wanted more time for teachers to prepare and also for testing to be introduced, so we are happy that the Government has listened,” he said. “This circuit breaker between the New Year and the start of time, will allow teachers and older pupils to be tested, which makes perfect sense.

”We feel sorry for those parents who have to organise more childcare at late notice and we hope that that vulnerable children and those of critical workers will be looked after.”