A former Principal of Les Chenes Residential School & Director of Education, Mr Tom McKeon, on Friday (19 June), Day 77, gave evidence to the Independent Jersey Care Inquiry.
Taking him through his witness statement, Inquiry Counsel, Patrick Sadd, asked Mr McKeon questions about his early teaching career in the UK where his work in special education led to him being asked to apply to be the first Principal at Les Chenes. Mr McKoen described his role in helping to set up the school which opened in 1977. He also talked about management, staffing, the relationship with the Education Committee and the approach used when dealing with children sent to Les Chenes.
Mr McKeon left Les Chenes in 1988 to become head teacher of La Quennevais School. He was appointed Deputy Director of Education 1992 and Director of Education in 1997 before retiring in 2007. He commented on various official reports about Les Chenes and Greenfields and on Education Committee decisions made about the school during that period.
After lunch, Mr ‘R’, a former teacher at Les Chenes, responded to allegations of abuse made by former residents and subsequent statements given to the States of Jersey Police.
Full transcripts and supporting documents will be available in due course.
Public Hearings resume 1400 on Monday (22 May). See the Timetable for details of all next week’s proceedings.