CHANGE Education Policy

Education that prepares every child for life.

Every child deserves a high-quality education that builds knowledge, confidence, practical ability and genuine opportunity for the future.

A better education system today means a stronger Island tomorrow.

Strong foundations

Reading, writing and mathematics must be taught to a high standard in every school.

Practical pathways

Academic learning must sit alongside vocational education, work experience and apprenticeships.

Safe, disciplined schools

Teachers must be supported, pupils protected and clear standards of behaviour maintained.

Our mission and vision

Every child should be supported, challenged and given the opportunity to succeed.

Education is a shared responsibility and a fundamental public priority. The choices made in education today shape the society, economy and opportunities of tomorrow.

A strong education system creates confident learners, skilled workers, responsible citizens and a more resilient Island.

Education should be judged by what children learn, the opportunities they receive and how well they are prepared for adult life.

The CHANGE position

Focus on outcomes, not bureaucracy.

Schools should be free to concentrate on teaching, supporting pupils and preparing young people for life. Administration must serve education rather than dominate it.

Strong Foundations in the Basics

No child should leave school without secure literacy and numeracy skills.

CHANGE standard

Reading, writing and mathematics will remain the core priorities throughout primary and secondary education.
Pupils who fall behind will receive early, focused support rather than being allowed to drift further behind.
Progress will be measured clearly and communicated honestly to parents.
Academic knowledge will be taught alongside confidence, communication and critical thinking.

Every child should leave school with the foundations needed for work, further education and independent life.

Smaller Classes and Individual Support

Every pupil must be known, supported and appropriately challenged.

Government should

Work towards smaller class sizes where pupil numbers or individual needs make this necessary.
Protect classroom support for children who require additional help.
Ensure special educational needs are identified early and addressed through practical support.
Give schools the flexibility to direct resources towards the pupils who need them most.

No child should become invisible inside an overstretched system.

Practical Skills and Vocational Routes

Education must prepare young people for the real world, not only for examinations.

Work experience Meaningful workplace exposure before pupils make major career decisions.

Vocational learning Practical and technical subjects treated with the same respect as academic routes.

Apprenticeships Stronger partnerships between schools, employers and training providers.

Practical skills, trades, technology and enterprise will have a clear place within education.
Schools will work with local employers to identify future workforce needs.
Young people will receive clear information about academic, vocational and apprenticeship options.

Different abilities require different routes, but every route should lead towards real opportunity.

Teachers, Discipline and School Standards

Good teaching depends on safe classrooms, clear authority and proper professional support.

The CHANGE approach

Teachers will be supported when applying reasonable and consistent standards of behaviour.
Persistent disruption, bullying and intimidation will be addressed promptly.
Parents will be expected to support attendance, behaviour and engagement with learning.
Unnecessary paperwork and administrative demands will be reduced so teachers can focus on pupils.
Recruitment and retention will be treated as essential to maintaining standards.

Support the teachers. Protect the pupils. Restore the standard.

Outcomes, Accountability and Opportunity

The public must be able to see whether the education system is succeeding.

CHANGE standard

Government will publish clear information on attainment, attendance, exclusions and destinations after school.
Measures will focus on real progress and pupil outcomes, not targets designed merely to look successful.
Schools requiring additional support will receive it early, alongside clear expectations for improvement.
Education policy will be shaped by evidence, professional experience and the long-term needs of the Island.

Success means every child having the strongest possible start in life.

Help us build a better future for every child.

CHANGE will support high standards, practical opportunity and an education system focused on pupils rather than bureaucracy.

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CHANGE is a civic movement. We expect those in power to deliver what the public is entitled to, and we will hold them to account when they fail.