A NEW primary school at Gas Place, to be opened by 2026, has been proposed by the government.
The plan for the former Jersey Gas site is one of three preferred options outlined in a report on the provision of education in St Helier, alongside a replacement for Rouge Bouillon in the west of town and the expansion of Plat Douet to the east.
Education Minister Inna Gardiner, who had pledged to issue the report as one of her ‘100-day’ priorities after taking up the role in July, said she was keen to keep up the momentum in driving forward her proposals.
She said: ‘St Helier is home to a third of our population, and some of the most vulnerable children in our Island – it is absolutely vital that children in town have access to modern, high-quality facilities, and outdoors play areas.
‘I will be recommending to the Council of Ministers that a new school needs to be built centrally at Gas Place – my aim is for the new central school to be complete in four years time.’
The Gas Place proposal includes a ‘two-form entry’ school – with two classes in each year group – and additional special needs facility for up to 24 pupils. The scheme looks set to put the government on a collision course with St Helier Constable Simon Crowcroft, who has campaigned for the former Jersey Gas site to house an extension to the Millennium Town Park, doubling the park’s existing footprint.
Deputy Gardiner said she intended that the proposed replacement for Rouge Bouillon would be complete in 2027 or 2028. A preferred site had yet to be identified, she added, but was likely to be between the Rouge Bouillon roundabout and Castle Quay.
The report also advocates the development of Plat Douet into a three-form entry school in order to ‘maximise its potential’, as well as ‘green pockets’ in and around St Helier to ensure there is access to green space for all residents of St Helier.
Deputy Gardiner concluded: ‘We need long-term solutions to an ageing school estate in town, and we must continue progressing this work at pace to ensure our children are able to learn, grow and thrive at their school.’
