Anyone with knowledge of independence secondary schools in Jersey/Guernesey please?

[shinny]

Just as title says really - looking at possibilities for DS education if we relocate in next couple of years. I’ve found De La Salle and Blanchelande College only in Jersey and Guernsey.

Would welcome any opinions on the schools and which island is best to live on etc.

Many thanks

Guernsey also has Elizabeth College (co-ed) and Ladies College (girls only).

Elizabeth College has only recently become co-ed so I would guess it's still predominantly boys attending.

Both of these schools (and Blanchelande) offer education up to age 18. Elizabeth and Ladies have prep schools for younger children - Acorn House and Melrose respectively.

We have 2 DS at Elizabeth College and 1 DD at Blanchelande. All in Senior School. Pretty happy with both. Neither are particularly stellar. All the children are settled and getting on well. EC very much a boys school , not fully co-ed until 2025 I think. And Blanchelande had been girls only for many years so leans slightly towards girls. Both have good pastoral care across the whole school. Much cheaper than private in UK.

Guernsey vs Jersey I couldn’t call. Very different. Jersey much bigger , better connected. Guernsey still quite quaint.

Where are you coming from ?

Thanks
How did I miss Elizabeth College?? Is it very pushy as I see entry is selective? Don’t want to put pressure on. We’d be coming from Asia and are flexible about where to go - trying to find a viable alternative to UK.

I thought of Guernsey (probably because I visited years ago and loved it) in preference to Jersey and then found more available schools there but I guess we’d have to visit both places to decide.

Thank you.

Have one academic DS the other very much less so; both getting on well at EC. It has often been referred to as a Comprehensive due to the mix of abilities - they seem to really get boys. If you have a sporty DS I would def go for EC. Blanchelande is Catholic if that is of interest either way.

Victoria College another private in Jersey. Think boys only though.

Thanks so much. Elizabeth College looks great so will keep there in mind

You might struggle to visit depending on your timescales. Guernsey is only allowing essential travel where you need a permit issued in advance.

Elizabeth College has a good reputation and most people I know are very happy with it. There's an entrance exam but it's nothing like the competitiveness of London private schools.

Make sure you do your research on entry requirements for both islands first. Unless you are deemed an essential worker and issued with a licence in Guernsey, you will have to live Open Market where housing costs start around £800k for a fairly small property. Licences go with employment. If you have already investigated this aspect and are now just concentrating on the schools then advice given above is good.