Advice on Guernsey Schools

[Dtm]

We are relocating to Guernsey over the summer and need some advice on schools for my 2 boys. Should we go private or are the secondary schools good? One son is fairly academic but the other one isn’t and prefers sports. Any feedback or advice will be much appreciated.

Have you asked if there is spaces in the year groups that you need?

School admission for the state schools will be based on the catchment you live in. You won’t be choosing between them. Do you have a house yet?

In the UK I am against private but if you can afford it Elizabeth College is fantastic - I have a few friends whose kids have been and thrived.

The state schools are still adjusting to the numbers since the ending of the grammar system.
Disclaimer - this is all second hand as I don’t live there now.

I don’t live there any longer but still have friends and family on the island. If you can afford it I would second the suggestion of Elizabeth College. The state system is a bit of a mess since they ditched the Grammar School and they have been unable to agree and execute a proper plan for the state system. All of my friends who had children in the state system have moved them across to either Elizabeth College or Blanchelande.

Elizabeth College is a good bet for both the academic and the sporty child.

My understanding from a friend is that the schools are lovely but dire academically, except the grammar, but I see that's been stopped.

Intrigued by this comment! My son has just finished y7 at Elizabeth college.

the facilities are terrible for sport. The Playground is a small patch of tarmac with one hard court to play football but has to be rotated amongst 7 year groups and 90 children per year group so usually can’t play on it. One Astro pitch for hockey between 500 students. One water logged sports field so more often than not football/rugby cancelled.

no swimming pool as they filled it in so they don’t do swimming any more. No tennis or squash courts. No cricket nets (apparently are building some but they’ve said this 4 years in a row and as of this moment in time they’re still not ready)

my son didn’t have a single hockey match this year despite signing up to the team (because there weren’t any) or any cricket matches. They don’t organise sports against the other guernsey schools it seems. Just do training in games lessons but no matches. That seems to change for 6th form but it’s a long time to wait!!