The island’s new Director of Education has resigned from her role before officially starting.

Mrs Laurie Baker has cited a change in family circumstances for the decision, and not the ‘very recent and public issues relating to ESC recruitment’.

‘It’s my view that the direction of travel for educational change across the Bailiwick is positive, exciting, and will make a real difference to the opportunities for the children, young people, and families who are fortunate enough to live here,’ she said.

‘Whilst I am no longer able to fulfil this post, I will be following Guernsey’s transformation journey with interest.

‘My decision has not been made in haste, nor in light of the very recent and public issues relating to ESC recruitment. It has been a very difficult decision for me but it is in the best interests of my family.’

The director was appointed by the Policy and Resources Committee in April this year, and had been working part-time before starting full time work later this month.

A committee spokesperson has described Mrs Baker’s departure as ‘a great shame’.

‘Mrs Baker has had to make the difficult personal decision to stand down from this post due to emerging family circumstances, making the relocation to Guernsey untenable.

‘It is a great shame she is unable to take up the role full time at the end of August as she had intended but it is completely understandable that her family should come first.

‘We wish her, and her family, all the very best for the future.’

The current Education Services senior leadership team will arrange cover for aspects of Mrs Baker’s role over the coming months – during which they hope she will be able to provide some advice on a consultancy basis.

Policy and Resources do not intend to begin recruiting for a replacement until the new Committee Secretary and Director of Operations have had time to settle in.

They say this should give them time to develop an appropriate process for filling the role.