20 October 2022
A report looking into potential sites for two new primary schools in St Helier has been published by
the Infrastructure, Housing, and Environment (IHE) Department, following a commitment from the
Minister for Children and Education, Deputy Inna Gardiner.
The report includes details of potential school extensions, re-development, or potential sites where
new schools could be built. It also considers how each site would affect the proportion of children
who could walk to school in 10 minutes.
Following this analysis, the preferred options are:
- Build a two-form entry school at Gas Place, including a 30-place nursery and an Additional
Resource Centre (ARC) for Social, Emotional and Mental Health Needs (SEMH) for up to 24
children
- Develop Plat Douet into a three-form entry school
- Replace Rouge Bouillon at a new site as a three-form entry school, to be identified in the
area between Rouge Bouillon roundabout and Castle Quay
The CYPES Department has formed a list of requirements for the construction of new town primary
schools, which have been detailed in the report.
School sites must be large enough not only to
accommodate high quality teaching spaces, but also the co-location of services, and sufficient
outside space for children to play.
Minister for Children and Education, Deputy Inna Gardiner, 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.
“Having kept up momentum on the publication of this report, I will be recommending to the
Council of Ministers that a new school needs to be built centrally at Gas Place next to Millennium
Park. My aim is for the new central school to be complete in four years time – in 2026.
“I am aware of the significant interest and concerns from Islanders in finding a suitable replacement
for Rouge Bouillon School – and we are in active engagement with various stakeholders to look
into a suitable new site between Rouge Bouillon roundabout and Castle Quay. I intend for the new
school to be complete in 2027-28, and will provide a decision in the new year.
“We must also be mindful of the need to ensure the town population have access to green
community spaces, whether this be through the creation of new green pockets or through the
access to new school facilities beyond the school day.
“Alongside this, we will need to develop Plat Douet School to maximise its potential and meet the
growing need for school places. 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.”
To see the report: Town Primary School Review.
gov.je