Vale Junior School

Vale Junior School

Vale Junior School is located in the parish of Vale at the north of Guernsey.  We are currently a three form entry school, catering for children from Year 3 to Year 6.  We currently have about 270 children on roll, in class sizes ranging from 20 to 24.

There has been a school on the present site since 1878. The present granite building was opened in September 1912 with additions made because of increasing numbers in the 1970s. We share the site with Vale Infants’ School and between the two wars the schools were single sex schools with the present Junior School accommodating the girls.

This continued until 1937 when the schools became junior and infants’ schools. During the Occupation of Guernsey the school was populated by the children who remained on the island, but in St Paul’s Church Hall as the German Soldiers required the present school buildings. 393 pupils were evacuated from the school on June 21^st 1940, most stayed in the north western towns of England, such as Nantwich and Wigan a few continued to Wales and Scotland. Most returned immediately after the war ended, some still reside in the UK. In June 2010 the school hosted the 70^th anniversary reunion when several of the evacuees attended and reminisced.

After the war the schools continued as they are now with the infant aged children in the now remodelled Vale Infants’ School and the junior aged children in our present granite building, effectively running as two schools.

Our most historic feature on the schools’ campus is the Neolithic dolmen named “Le Rocque qui Sonne”.  History tells us that it has been there for some six thousand years and that anyone who has tried to remove any part of it appears to have found tragedy in their life. It is now a Guernsey heritage site.

The school has continued to develop over more recent years and has benefited by being reroofed, had new heating and lighting and has been wired to accommodate modern technology particularly the network of computers. We have recently moved the library into a spare classroom which will enable us to create a modern reception area next year.

At present we have 267 pupils on roll with 14.4 staff. In recent years the buildings have housed over 350 pupils which left very little room for flexibility. Each year we inherit the year 2 children from Vale Infants’ School and St. Sampson’s Infants’ School. All three schools work closely together to make the transfer as easy as possible for the children.

The majority of our children transfer to St Sampson’s High School when they finish year 6, some join the Grammar School or the Colleges.

Many of our children’s parents and grandparents attended the school and enjoy returning to reminisce. Our catchment area is broadly the Braye du Valle but extends along Military Road to the Halfway and the sea front and so we also have several children from St Sampson’s parish as well. Parents are very supportive of their children’s education and many assist in the school in a variety of ways.

We continually review and develop the curriculum that the children are taught. At present we are planning a more creative approach to teaching and learning to ensure maximum motivation and enjoyment. Guernsey schools work closely together to share ideas and ensure equality of provision across the island.