Thousands protest against Guernsey new school plan

More than 2,500 parents, students and school staff came out to protest again Guernsey's new school model yesterday afternoon (Sunday 2 Feb).

The 'People Power Guernsey' says the one school, two-site model is fundamentally wrong.

Campaigners stopped traffic as they marched from North Beach car park, walked along the seafront and gathered in Market Square where speeches were made.

The crowds sported green balloons, ribbons, and placards to show their unhappiness with the education model that's being supported by the States Education Committee.

12 year old Angel Perkins is a student at Les Beaucamps High School and was one of the guest speakers at Market Square. She told ITV News she's worried bullying will become worse when the schools increase in size.

Rachel Presland is one of the campaign organisers. She says the island's politicians need to start listening to what people in Guernsey are telling them.

Other speeches came from former education boss Jon Buckland and the Guernsey Disability Alliance while deputies including Chief Minister Gavin St Pier, Mary Lowe and Andrea Dudley-Owen watched on.

Campaigners say they are supporting a requete to put a pause on the current education plan and for it to be reviewed after the island wide election in June.

But the education committee says stopping the current plans would inevitably lead to years of further uncertainty for children and parents and waste millions of pounds.