BUILDING a new purpose-built primary school in town to replace three others is an opportunity that cannot be missed and would save around £427,000 in operational running costs, the Education Minister has said.
Deputy Rob Ward was speaking ahead of a proposed debate which could kibosh the proposals to replace Springfield, St Luke’s and La Passerelle and build a new facility on the site next to Millennium Town Park.
Later this month, the States Assembly is due to debate a proposition from St Helier Constable Simon Crowcroft which calls for the government to reassess the need for a new school given the Island’s falling birth rate. He instead would like to see the Millennium Town Park extended, providing his parish with more green spaces.
However, Deputy Ward has defended the proposals and said Springfield, St Luke’s and Le Passerelle need major upgrades, while pointing out that the current Springfield site would be turned into a new park for town.
“Springfield and St Luke’s are falling short in terms of the facilities they have, classrooms are cramped, outdoors spaces are well below recommended levels and there is not dedicated provision for children with additional needs,” the minister said.
“St Luke’s has classrooms that are too small and less than half the recommended play areas.
“La Passarelle has grown from five pupils to 25 in just five years but the facilities haven’t kept pace. The new school will replace La Passerelle with purpose-built, inclusive spaces that support children with additional needs but without isolating them.
“The new school will bring three schools together into one modern purpose-built site with over 5,000sq-m of outdoor space with specialist facilities and room to grow. It will be walkable for families, reduce car use and save around £427,000 a year in running costs.”
He added that the current schools sites serve “some of our most diverse and vulnerable communities” but that they “have the least space and the oldest buildings”.
Deputy Ward added: “We have a chance to change that. It’s about building a future where every child in town regardless or background has access to a modern, inclusive and inspiring learning environment. We must not miss that opportunity.”
The 2026 Budget, published last month, revealed that the Infrastructure Minister has agreed to buy the Gas Place site from Andium Homes for the “development of a new town-based school”.
If the Budget is approved by the States Assembly later this year, the site on Tunnel Street would be purchased for a “nominal amount” of £1 to “ensure that the purchase can proceed without delay”.
More than £12 million was set aside for the new two-form entry school at Gas Place in the 2025-2029 Budget.
WATCH…
The staff of our town schools do an incredible job. But the facilities they work in are not adequate. We have a chance to change that. Let's not delay that anymore. My statement here. pic.twitter.com/tuUojd8chZ
— 🌈Deputy Rob Ward (Reform Jersey)🌈 (@deputyrobward) October 6, 2025
