Education in Guernsey facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Education in  Guernsey

Committee for Education, Sport and Culture
President	Andrea Dudley-Owen
General details
Primary languages	English

Education in the Bailiwick of Guernsey covers the school systems in Guernsey, Alderney, and Sark. In Guernsey, the government's Committee for Education, Sport and Culture manages the schools. This committee looks after several public schools, including four high schools for all students. They also run the Guernsey Institute, which is a place for higher education. There are also some private schools on the island.

Students in public schools attend primary school from Reception to Year 6 (ages 4 to 11). Then they go to secondary school from Year 7 to Year 11 (ages 11 to 16). At the end of Year 11, students usually take General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) exams. These exams are important school certificates. For many, these qualifications are like finishing high school in other countries.

It is required for students to attend school from age 5 to age 16. However, many students continue their studies. They can take A-levels at one of the Sixth Form centers on the island. They can also take other advanced courses at the island's further education college. Most 16-year-olds (87%) continue their studies after age 16. School is free for all students until they turn 18. After finishing Sixth Form, many students go to university. They often study in England or at the Guernsey Institute on the island.

The education system in Guernsey is very similar to the one in England. GCSE exams have been graded from 9 (highest) to 1 since 2017. The national school exams and vocational certificates are the same as those used in the UK. They follow the same rules as the UK's exam system.

School System Changes

The States of Guernsey, which is the island's government, has been working on changing the secondary school system. In 2019, they voted to combine the high schools into one big school called Lisia School. This school would have two campuses. The government planned to invest £157 million in these changes.

However, in March 2020, the government decided to pause these plans. They wanted to review different ways to organize secondary education. They looked at several ideas. All these ideas focused on having one main school system for the island. This meant that the leaders of all schools would work together.

In 2021, the States of Guernsey decided on a new plan. They chose to have three high schools for students aged 11 to 16. They also planned for a separate Sixth Form Centre for older students. This meant that La Mare de Carteret High School and the Guernsey Grammar School would close. La Mare de Carteret High School closed in 2025. The Guernsey Grammar School closed in 2023.

The three new 11-16 schools are St Sampson's High School, Les Beaucamps High School, and the new Les Varendes High School. Les Varendes High School opened in September 2023. It is on the same site where the Guernsey Grammar School used to be.

The plan also included moving The Sixth Form Centre. It was supposed to move from the Les Varendes site to a new college building. This new building would be at Les Ozouets, where St Peter Port School used to be. The old St Peter Port School building is being taken down to make way for the new college.

Because of delays in building the new Sixth Form college, there was a temporary plan. The Sixth Form Centre moved to the site of La Mare de Carteret High School when it closed in 2025. This temporary move was first planned for just one school year. However, it has now been extended until at least 2029.

In February 2025, a new law was passed in Guernsey. This law makes it required for all schools to have a board of governors. These boards help manage the schools.

Schools in Guernsey

Here is a list of schools currently open in Guernsey. Information for Alderney and Sark schools is below.

Primary Schools

Secondary Schools

• Les Varendes High School
• La Mare de Carteret High School
• Les Beaucamps High School
• St Sampson's High School

Post-16 Education

• The Sixth Form Centre
• The Guernsey Institute

Special Schools

• Le Murier
• Le Rondin School & Centre

Independent Schools

• Blanchelande College
• Elizabeth College
• Ladies' College

Schools in Alderney and Sark

Alderney and Sark are smaller islands near Guernsey. They have their own schools. These schools offer primary education and some secondary education for students living there.

• St Anne's School, Alderney
• Sark School, Sark

Past Schools

Many schools have closed over the years in Guernsey. Some of these schools merged with others. Some were replaced by new schools.

Primary Schools that Closed

• St Saviour's School (closed 1978)
• Vale Private School (closed 2002)
• Amherst Infant School (closed 2003) - Merged to form Amherst Primary School.
• Amherst Junior School (closed 2003) - Merged to form Amherst Primary School.
• The Longfield Centre (closed 2005)
• Convent of Mercy (closed 2005) - Replaced by Blanchelande College's infant department.
• Hautes Capelles Infant School (closed 2006) - Merged to form Hautes Capelles Primary School.
• Hautes Capelles Junior School (closed 2006) - Merged to form Hautes Capelles Primary School.
• Vale Infant School (closed 2013)
• St Sampson's Infant School (closed 2014)
• St Andrew's Primary School (closed 2015)

Secondary Schools that Closed

• Grammar School for Boys (closed 1985) - Merged to form Guernsey Grammar School.
• Grammar School for Girls (closed 1985) - Merged to form Guernsey Grammar School.
• St Peter Port School (closed 2009)
• Guernsey Grammar School (closed 2023) - Replaced by Les Varendes High School.

Special Schools that Closed

• Mont Varouf School (closed 2005)

Alderney Schools that Closed

• Ormer House Preparatory School (closed 2013)