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Teaching pioneer honoured with blue plaque

Jack Silver
BBC News, Guernsey
Island Archives A black and white school photo a a teacher in a blouse and jacket surrounded by children and other staff members.Island Archives
Floraville School had five pupils when it was opened in 1948

A teacher who opened Guernsey's first school for disabled children has been honoured with a blue plaque.

Jessie de Garis founded the Floraville School in 1948, in a terraced house next to Vauvert School in St Peter Port.

The plaque was unveiled by the Bailiff and children from Le Rondin School - the island's current special needs primary school.

A spokesperson for the States said Mrs de Garis "transformed the lives" of hundreds of children and her "legacy [lived] on today".

Five primary-aged children in blue school uniforms and yellow polo shirts stand below a sign that reads: Guernsey Museums - Jessie de Garis 1916-1984 Pioneer of Special Education taught here.
Children from the island's current special needs school attended the unveiling

Mrs de Garis later became headteacher of Valnord school, from 1953 to 1976, before becoming Guernsey's first full-time educational psychologist.

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