St Helena announces reorganization of primary school structure

The Education, Skills and Employment Portfolio (ESE) has announced a significant reorganization of primary school education on St Helena. The decision follows a comprehensive review process aimed at addressing various challenges within the current system, such as declining student numbers, teacher shortages, and the need for enhanced support for students with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) and Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) needs.

This review was supported by public consultations involving ESE leaders, local stakeholders, and external experts. The ESE expressed gratitude to all contributors, including Hampshire Local Authority (HLA) and the Foreign and Commonwealth Development Office (FCDO), for their support during this process.

The new structure will be implemented in September 2026. It involves consolidating primary education into two sites: a Key Stage 1 school at Harford School site for Early Years Foundation Stage through Year 2 students, and a Key Stage Two school at St Paul’s School site for Years 3 to 6.

Transition efforts will begin in April 2025. This transition period aims to honor contributions from the existing schools—Harford, St Paul’s, and Pilling—and prepare for the opening of the new schools. The changes are expected to enhance educational standards while retaining positive aspects of current practices.

Emphasis will be placed on supporting staff through training and development to ensure readiness for these changes. Practical considerations include selecting new names for the schools with student involvement, updating transport routes with school bus providers, upgrading facilities via the Economic Development Investment Programme (EDIP), and maintaining partnerships with secondary schools to uphold Council of British International Schools (COBIS) standards.

The decision marks an important step toward improving educational outcomes on St Helena. The community is encouraged to continue prioritizing children's needs as central to future decisions.

"Education is an engine of change," said a spokesperson from ESE. "It is fundamentally at the heart of St Helena’s future journey."