Designation of five Governance Board Chairs announced but three spots remain to be filled

• Five Designate Chairs confirmed to lead Education Governance Boards across the Bailiwick.
• New Chairs include individuals with extensive experience in education and leadership.
• Recruitment drive continues for three remaining Chair roles.
• Interested candidates can apply from 22 September to 1 October.

Education, Sport and Culture has announced the appointment of five Designate Chairs to lead Education Governance Boards throughout the Bailiwick, while simultaneously reopening applications for three remaining roles.

ESC President Deputy Paul Montague said: “Strong governance is essential for ensuring our education settings truly flourish.

"Governors provide independent challenge, expertise and a voice from the community, and we are absolutely committed to setting up these Boards with genuine authority and influence.

“They will not be token bodies, but key decision makers driving improvement across the system. Selecting these first Chairs is a significant milestone for our Committee, but our work is not done.

"We now need to identify individuals for the remaining roles; people with vision, commitment and passion.

"This is a rare chance to help shape the future of education in Guernsey and Alderney, and we are determined to find the right people ready to take on that responsibility.”

The new Designate Chairs are:

Jon Buckland, who will lead the Town Primary Cluster, which includes Amherst & Vauvert Primary Schools and the Herm provision.

Buckland possesses significant leadership experience as Chief Officer and Chief Secretary for both Commerce & Employment and Education, Sport & Culture, along with his previous role as Chief Executive of the Medical Specialist Group. He currently operates a consultancy that focuses on coaching and training in strategic leadership.

Ian Carter has been appointed to the St Anne’s School Board.

A qualified educator, Carter brings over eleven years of Headteacher experience at a Grammar School in England and has spent over twenty-four years as a school inspector with the Independent Schools Inspectorate. He is also a member of the interim governance board and committee at St Anne’s.

Elizabeth Dene, designated for the Voluntary Schools Cluster, has over forty years of public sector experience, recently providing policy advice to senior politicians, including the Civil Contingencies Authority.

Dene serves as the Diocesan representative on the interim governance boards of St Mary & St Michael Primary School and Notre Dame Primary School and previously chaired the Notre Dame School Committee.

Yvonne Hodder will lead the Specialist Schools Cluster, which includes Le Rondin, Les Voies, and Le Murier Schools.

Hodder has held senior roles in education, particularly in supporting children with additional learning needs. Her previous experience includes positions as acting Headteacher and Education Officer in the States education system.

Anna Rivers has been appointed to The Guernsey Institute (TGI) Board and has extensive leadership experience in both the private and voluntary sectors.

With a background in senior executive roles within financial institutions, Rivers has led transformation projects and is currently the representative from the Chamber of Commerce on the interim governance board of TGI.

The Committee opened recruitment for the roles at the start of April and that initial round closed on Thursday 8 May.

Three seats remain vacant:

• North and West Primary Cluster (Hautes Capelles Primary School, La Mare de Carteret Primary School, and Vale Primary School)
• South and West Primary Cluster (Castel Primary School, Forest Primary School, La Houguette Primary School, and St Martin's Primary School)
• Secondary School Partnership (Les Beaucamps High School, Les Varendes High School, St Sampson's High School, and the Sixth Form Centre)

Chairs will participate in interview panels for principals and headteachers, serve as the public face of their boards, and lead their respective groups in supporting and challenging education leaders.

Candidates interested in applying for the remaining roles can visit gov.gg/EGB-Recruitment for further information, including dates and times of briefing sessions. Applications will be open from 22 September until 1 October.