Before this year, students at the secondary school have taken 8 to 11 GCSEs, depending upon their options and choices. This year, Year 9?s have only been given the option to take 8 to 9 GCSEs. This is how the previous system worked: they were given the eight main subjects (table below) and given the choice to take three more (Options A, B and C). Within each option catagory, they had the choice to conduct independant studies, where they would miss out on a GCSE. The Year 9 choices have been limited this year: they have only been given one option catagory: Option A. Their liberty to choose which design and technology to take remains. However, the new system will mean they can only take 8 or 9 GCSEs. This should not give them any disadvantage compared to mainland secondary school students, as this is common practise in other secondary schools. It is presumed that this measure was introduced by Ian Noble, the new headteacher, to improve the operation of the school after their OFSTED report. Past Headteachers: ? until 96: Alan Howells; ? until 97: Armyne Riddy (acting); ? until 99: Katherine Harvey; ? until 00: Alistair Mattley-Jones; ? currently: Ian Noble. Periods As from June, they are also changing the 30-minute long ?periods’ to 50-minutes. Surplus Space Management and Joint Heads: The poor funding caused by the UK Government’s ignorance of the exceptional circumstances of the school has forced dramatic changes, with joint headmasters and the surplus-space problems. These changes have been so unwelcome to teachers and headmasters that the school has seen the moving-on and resignation of three headmasters and a temporary Head. The long-standing headmaster of the secondary school, Mr Howells, resigned in July 1996, getting out before the government forced surplus-space management, and joint-headmastership, on to the school. Surplus-space meant that per pupil, there should only be a limited square area of room space. The school had limited room as it was, but according to UK regulations space had to be removed. This lead to the selling-off of the Carn Thomas building. The result of the movement of all subjects into the main building has been total chaos: the english comments never has a libruary and drama room at the same time; tables have to be moved to conduct drama lessons; there is constant movement of subjects within the building, from one side to the other… Katherine Harvey was the first joint head of the Secondary School and Carn Gwarvel Primary School. It is now expected that the head will also be head of the primary schools on Bryher, St Agnes and St Martin’s. Protest Many of the staff have or are resigning in protest to the lack of compassion the government is giving, and are fed up with their working conditions.
