Guernsey

The state of Guernsey comprises not only the English Channel island of that name but also two smaller islands, Sark and Alderney. Like its larger and more populous neighbor, Jersey, Guernsey has drawn benefits from its location between Great Britain and France. Originally a part of Normandy, the Channel Islands became attached to Britain at the time of the Norman Conquest in 1066 and were separated from Normandy in 1204. Guernsey reported a 1998 population of 51,458 people.

Guernsey's education system closely resembles that of the United Kingdom, although a few differences exist. A student's educational career is divided between a primary school, of which there are 10 on the islands, and a secondary school. Education is conducted in English, which is almost universally spoken, although French receives significant emphasis as well. The curriculum includes English, mathematics, science, French, history, geography, art, and music.

Six government-administered secondary schools serve Guernsey's students, although academic accomplishment determines in which of these schools an individual student will be placed. Guernsey, unlike the United Kingdom, still utilizes the 11-plus system through which students performing at a particular level upon completion of middle school are awarded scholarships to the Grammar School or to one of two colleges—Elizabeth College for boys and the Ladies' College for girls. In 2001, the 11-plus system was under review following continued criticism from parents and others.

Students who do not score well enough to earn a scholarship may, after payment of tuition, attend the appropriate college or the Catholic Blanchelande Girls' College. These colleges, although not a part of the government-run education system, do receive their funding from the government.

No institution of higher education exists on the islands aside from the vocationally oriented College of Further Education, which means university-bound students must attend school elsewhere.

—Mark Browning

Guernsey

Basic Data

Guernsey and its seven dependent islands are part of the Channel Islands, which sit northwest of France in the English Channel. The islands are the last remnants of the medieval Dukedom of Normandy and the only British soil occupied by Germany in World War II. Today Guernsey is a British Crown Dependency. The British monarch heads the state, and the head of government is a Lieutenant Governor, who is appointed by the monarch. The legislative branch is a unicameral Assembly of States. The population of Guernsey is nearly 65,000. The official language is English, but French is also widely spoken, and a Norman-French dialect is often used in rural districts. Financial services account for more than half of Guernsey's economy—light taxes and death duties make it a popular tax haven. Tourism, manufacturing, tomatoes and cut flowers also contribute to the GNP.

Citizens of Guernsey enjoy the press and speech freedoms of England. The daily newspaper of Guernsey is The Guernsey Press. In 1999, it changed its format from broadsheet to tabloid and shortened its name. It publishes Monday through Saturday, and its circulation is 16,000. Editorial content appears online through the this is guernsey.com Web portal. The newspaper's parent company also publishes the island's weekly, The Globe. This community-oriented, tabloid newspaper appears every Wednesday and has an approximate circulation of 18,000.

Guernsey has one FM radio station, one AM radio station, and one television station. There are two Internet service providers.

Bibliography

"Benn's Media 1999," Vol. 1, 147th Edition, p. 253.

Guernsey.net (2002), Home Page. Available from http://www.guernsey.net.

"Guernsey," CIA World Fact Book (2001). Available from http://www.cia.gov.

The Guernsey Press, (2002) Home Page. Available from http://www.guernsey-press.com.

Thisisguernsey.com, (n.d.) Home Page. Available from http://www.thisisguernsey.com/.

"What is localdial," Localdial.com , (2002). Available from http://www.localdial.com/aboutus.html.

Jenny B. Davis

Guernsey Second-largest island in the Channel Islands; the capital is St Peter Port. It constitutes a bailiwick with several smaller islands, including Alderney and Sark. Its mild, sunny climate is ideal for dairy farming and horticulture. Tourism is also important. Area: 78sq km (30sq mi). Pop. (1996) 58,681.