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Education sectors write to Secretary of State to challenge underfunding

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The TRC has joined with six other organisations representing the interests of schools, teachers and pupils in Northern Ireland to write to the Secretary of State to raise their shared concerns about the underfunding of education and the consequences for our children.  The open letter is being published as Parliament prepares to consider the Northern Ireland Budget Bill.

The full text of the letter is below:

The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland
Rt Hon Chris Heaton-Harris MP
Erskine House
20-32 Chichester Street
Belfast
BT1 4GF

19 January 2023

Dear Secretary of State,

We would be failing the children and young people of Northern Ireland (NI) if we did not share our significant concerns about the impact of the current crisis in education funding. Without question, reduction in funding and ongoing under investment will negatively impact the quality of education of every child and young person living in NI. This is inequitable, as the funding for our children and young people is already significantly lower than that received by those in other regions.

The Institute for Fiscal Studies has clearly highlighted this stark systemic underfunding of our education system. Their analysis evidences that since 2009-10, spending per pupil has been consistently highest in Scotland and generally lowest in NI. In 2021-22, spending per pupil is estimated to be £7,600 per pupil in Scotland but only £6,400 in NI. Spending per pupil in England is expected to be £6,700 with the equivalent figure being £6,600 in Wales. We question the lack of parity. Why is the education of a young person in NI valued less than those in England, Scotland and Wales?

In Autumn 2022, the Chancellor announced £2.3 billion of additional funding for schools in England in each of the 2023-24 and 2024-25 years, enabling continued investment in high quality teaching and importantly restoring per pupil funding to 2010 levels in real terms. Schools in NI have not started from a position of equal funding with their counterparts. Even considering the allocation of funding through Barnett consequentials, NI schools will not be able to restore 2010 levels of pupil funding comparable with proposals for England. Why is there such a lack of equality between the important funding commitments given to English pupils and our children and young people?

The current generation of children have already been adversely affected as a result of the pandemic. Schools face additional challenges as they support mental wellbeing and recovery of learning. These challenges will be compounded by a lack of educational funding, more money needs invested to support learning, yet we are looking at further cuts. Our schools are telling us that unless this under investment is addressed, it will be impossible to continue to provide our children and young people with an education that ensures they have the best start in life.

There is now a need for an urgent meeting involving everyone with a concern for the future of our children and young people. The focus must be on the restoration of education funding to levels that can fully support the needs of schools and ensure children have the best start in life. Failure to address this problem will have a negative impact for many generations to come. Education is essential to the creation of a sustainable economy for all. It is therefore imperative that we act now to ensure that our children and young people have and contribute to a positive future.

Yours sincerely,

Gerry Campbell
Chief Executive, Council for Catholic Maintained Schools

Maria Thomasson
Príomhfheidhmeannach Gníomhach/Acting Chief Executive Officer, Comhairle na Gaelscolaíochta

Mark Baker
Chief Executive, Controlled Schools’ Support Council

Fintan Murphy
Chief Executive, Catholic Schools’ Trustee Service

Nuala O’Neill
Chief Executive, Governing Bodies Association (NI)

Roisin Marshall
Chief Executive Officer, Northern Ireland Council for Integrated Education

Dr Andrew Brown
Chairperson, Transferor Representatives’ Council

Schools’ dedication praised by Moderator

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The Right Reverend Dr John Kirkpatrick, Moderator of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland, has written on behalf of the Church to the principals of controlled schools in Northern Ireland to express his ‘heartfelt thanks’ to all staff and governors for ‘…their dedication and commitment to the education of children and young people, particularly during these challenging times.’ He also said that he would ‘continue to encourage those throughout our Presbyterian family to uphold you and your colleagues in prayer.’

In his letter, issued through the Controlled Schools Support Council, ahead of the end of term, Dr Kirkpatrick said, “On behalf of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland I wanted to extend my heartfelt thanks to you, your staff and governors for your dedication and commitment to the education of children and young people, particularly during these challenging times.

“Many schools have stepped up to host school uniform swaps, provide meals and take part in other initiatives to alleviate some of the pressures faced by pupils and their families as a result of the cost of living crisis. Please know that this significant contribution to the education and wellbeing of children and young people is not taken for granted.

“It has also been a real encouragement to be able to come together this year for nativity plays and Christmas Carol services, after a period when it was not possible to hold these events. I recognise too that such initiatives place extra demands on staff, who often work over and above the call of duty throughout the year.”

Having taken office in June of this year, Dr Kirkpatrick has visited a number of schools already, taking assemblies, engaging with P7s and Sixth Formers, while meeting teachers, principals and governors.

In October he visited Wallace High School and Pond Park Primary School in Lisburn along with Dromore High School as part of his tour of PCI’s Presbytery of Dromore. Last month when he was in another of the all-Ireland denomination’s 19 regional presbyteries, Route Presbytery, he visited Ballycastle High School, Bushmills Primary, and William Pinkerton Memorial Primary School in Dervock.

Dr Kirkpatrick concluded his letter by saying, “…it is my heartfelt prayer that during the holiday period you will be able to take some time out to rest with your friends and family, and know something of the hope and light that we, as Christian people, believe has made all the difference in the world through the birth of Jesus Christ.

“And as we approach a new year and new term I will continue to encourage those throughout our Presbyterian family to uphold you and your colleagues in prayer.”

Photos:

The Moderator speaking (1) at Dromore High School’s Year 8 Assembly and (2) with Six Formers at Wallace High School in Lisburn.

Archbishop’s letter of thanks and encouragement for schools

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Archbishop John McDowell has written to all principals of controlled schools in Northern Ireland, in his role of Chairperson of the Church of Ireland’s Board of Education (NI), to express thanks for all that they are doing in what is a challenging season for schools.

The Archbishop’s letter is in full below:

Dear Principal,

I hope you are well and no doubt looking forward to something of a break over Christmas and the New Year.

I would be grateful if you could pass on to your staff and governors the thanks and support of the Church of Ireland at this difficult time for schools.

We are very aware you are dealing with many issues such as pupils suffering due to the cost–of–living crisis and meeting the complexities of running a school in such conditions, dealing with medical issues such as Covid and Strep A, and all alongside the usual challenges posed by teaching and learning.

In these circumstances the Church of Ireland Board of Education (NI) wishes to send their prayers and encouragement for your work this term in keeping schools a safe and healthy space for children and young people to develop and flourish in.

Many blessings for this Christmas time.

Yours sincerely,

 

The Most Rev John McDowell
Archbishop of Armagh

Encouraging a non-denominational Christian ethos

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The Moderator of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland (PCI), Rt Rev Dr John Kirkpatrick, reaffirmed the denomination’s commitment to schools and encouraged the non-denominational Christian ethos of controlled schools, which, he said, ‘enables children and young people to flourish.’

Dr Kirkpatrick was speaking after his weeklong tour of PCI’s Presbytery of Dromore. One of the church’s 19 regional presbyteries, it was the first of four such tours that he will make as Moderator, and included visits to three schools. The Presbytery contains 22 congregations and covers the central belt of County Down taking in Dromara, Drumbo, Moira, Royal Hillsborough, and Lisburn. Each tour is an opportunity to acknowledge and encourage the work of local congregations and the difference that they make in their local communities, while visiting a number of organisations supported by local churches. They also have a strong pastoral focus, giving the Moderator opportunities to spend time with local ministers and some of their families.

A strong civic and community element complements to each tour, and Dr Kirkpatrick’s schedule included lunch with the Mayor of Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council and a visit to the Air Ambulance Northern Ireland at Maze. He also saw the work of charities like Via Wings in Dromore and Christians Against Poverty in Lisburn, while hearing about the community outreach of Ballymacash FC on a visit to the club.

Throughout the week education played an important part of the tour, seeing Dr Kirkpatrick visit three schools in the Presbytery. At Wallace High School he spent time with Sixth Formers as they studied ethical world views, talking with them and answering questions. He also had an opportunity to meet members of the school’s Scripture Union. At Pond Park Primary School, Dr Kirkpatrick spoke during assembly, taking and answering questions afterwards from a class of P7s. He also spent time with senior staff and students on a visit to Dromore High School where he spoke at the Year 8 Assembly.

“Schools are integral to the life of families and local communities, and have also been through a lot in responding to, and dealing with the aftermath of the pandemic. It was important to take this opportunity to express our thanks to all those who contribute to school life, including teachers and governors, for all that they do,” Dr Kirkpatrick said.

“As they face multiple challenges it was also an opportunity to reaffirm PCI’s commitment to schools and encourage their non-denominational Christian ethos, which enables children and young people to flourish. I also wanted to listen, especially to the pupils themselves and I thoroughly enjoyed my interactions with them.”

The Moderator is pictured above on visits to the following schools:

Pond Park Primary, with some of the P7s and Rev Andrew Thompson, chair of the Board of Governors; Wallace High School, for a discussion with Sixth Formers; and Dromore High School, where he spoke at its Year 8 Assembly.

 

Christian ethos and education

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With the publication of the Ulster University / UNESCO Education Centre’s latest Briefing Report, ‘School ethos in Northern Ireland’, the following statement was issued by the Transferor Representatives’ Council.

Dr Andy Brown, Chair of the Transferor Representatives’ Council (TRC), said, “When it comes to the vision for the future of education in Northern Ireland there is an ongoing and important debate and this report is just one of a number of contributions to that. As transferor churches we also welcome the opportunity to be a part of that significant discussion. We agree that a changing society requires a system of education which promotes social justice and is inclusive and respectful of difference. This is not incompatible with the values of a Christian ethos, which underpin the majority of schools in Northern Ireland.

“There are aspects of the report which TRC would welcome, such as the desire for a root and branch review of the curriculum, especially the high-stakes nature of testing, and indeed TRC has been advocating for such a review in the RE curriculum. However in dismissing the Christian ethos of schools, which is guaranteed in legislation, elements of the report do not seem to recognise the history of our education system, nor reflect the realities as they pertain across local communities.

“The report’s vision for a community-based education system resonates with what already exists in so many of our villages and towns across Northern Ireland, where local schools are at the centre of and reflect the local community. Controlled schools, which are open to all faiths and none, provide high quality education for children and young people to enable them to learn, develop and grow together, within the ethos of non-denominational Christian values and principles.”

Referring to the recent national response to the death of Queen Elizabeth II, Dr Brown concluded by saying, “This week has reminded us of the Christian foundations on which our society is built and demonstrated to us all the strength which so many take from this. Like the vast majority of our schools, we celebrate the values of a non-denominational ethos, which underpin the education system in Northern Ireland.”

RE and collective worship

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Following the High Court’s decision on the challenge to teaching arrangements for religious education and collective worship in controlled primary schools in Northern Ireland by Mr Justice Colton, the Transferor Representatives’ Council issued the following statement.

“The teaching of RE and collective worship in controlled primary schools is an important matter. Mr Justice Colton indicated today that he would allow the parties time to reflect on his judgement and indeed, ‘invited further submissions from counsel prior to making a final order.’

“While the transferring churches are not direct parties to this case, nonetheless, as this is an important and significant issue we will also be reflecting on today’s decision over the coming weeks, and any subsequent final order that Mr Justice Colton may make. We will also need to take the time to discuss the matter as churches together.”

Transferor representatives meet with Education Minister

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Church of Ireland, Presbyterian and Methodist representatives, from the Transferor Representatives’ Council, along with the Controlled Schools’ Support Council, met with Education Minister Michelle McIlveen MLA yesterday, Wednesday (29th June).

Transferor representatives Andrew Brown, Peter Hamill and Rosemary Rainey with Minister McIlveen and Mark Baker (Chief Executive of the Controlled Schools’ Support Council), at second left.

A range of issues across the controlled education sector in Northern Ireland were discussed.  The three Churches transferred most of their schools into state control – hence the terms ‘transferor’ and ‘controlled’ – in return for assurances regarding the Christian ethos of schools and a continued role in their governance.

The controlled sector is the largest education sector accounting for 49% of all Northern Ireland’s schools, including 63 nursery schools, 380 primary schools and 69 post-primary schools. Controlled schools are open to children of all faiths and none, which brings a rich diversity and inclusive ethos reflecting the many different communities which they serve in today’s society.

Controlled schools are #OpenToAll

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The controlled sector is the largest education sector in Northern Ireland accounting for 49% of all schools, including 63 nursery schools, 380 primary schools and 69 post–primary schools. Controlled schools are open to all faiths and none which brings a rich diversity and inclusive ethos.

Controlled schools below share their examples of being #OpenToAll.

Botanic Primary School is just one example of a diverse controlled school. Paul Bell, Principal, comments, “Botanic Primary School is a multi–cultural school that traditionally accepts children from all communities. The diversity present within the school is reflected in our ‘International School Award’ from the British Council and our recent School of Sanctuary Award. We welcome this diversity and believe that it adds to the positive ethos of our school.”

Culmore Primary School makes a promise to every child through the school ethos. Clare McMenamin, Principal, said, “We will strive to respect the experiences, knowledge and cultural diversity that every child brings to school. At Culmore we celebrate all faiths and are actively involved in a shared education partnership. This programme has enabled the school to enrich the learning experiences of each child in their care by giving them the opportunity to learn alongside children from other backgrounds.”

DH Christie Memorial Primary School, Joanna Coulter, Vice Principal, commented, “Our school makes no differences; we invite applications from any child and commit to providing the very best educational experience that we can for any child who comes our way. One very telling example of this is the recent provision of a third specialist education provision on site for pupils with very complex learning needs. We believe that everyone deserves a chance and that we much always explore how to meet a child’s needs.”

Dungannon Primary School, Bryan Martin, Governor, highlights the many different nationalities within the school, adding, “’Dungannon is one of the most multi-cultural towns in Northern Ireland; the diversity within the school is clear with several different nationalities in the school family. We have children with a wide variety of learning needs, and these children have opportunities to be integrated with mainstream classes on a daily basis. We have children of different religions, and we have demonstrated our ability to cater for different needs with sensitivity and respect.”

In controlled schools, inclusivity is demonstrated in a strong school ethos.

Largymore Primary School, Gillian Dunlop, Principal, commented, “Largymore is proud of its tradition of mutual respect and inclusion, welcoming children of all faiths and denominations. We enjoy a positive, warm, friendly ethos which is strengthened by committed and enthusiastic staff and Governors who work in partnership with very supportive parents.”

Limavady High School, Darren Mornin, Principal, reflects on serving the needs of the local community added, “Limavady High School is most definitely open to all the school is diverse and inclusive in nature and reflects the community it serves which is very mixed. We have pupils of different nationalities in our school family and have a wide variety of children who have many different learning needs.”

Lisneal College has worked with St. Mary’s College and St. Cecilia’s College to create a strong shared education partnership. Michael Allen, Principal, added, “Lisneal College actively promotes inclusion in every aspect of school life and encourages respect, tolerance and the celebration of diversity in all relationships across school. The shared education partnership between Lisneal College, St. Cecilia’s College and St. Mary’s College, Londonderry, has embraced cultural differences. The three schools have worked diligently in creating a shared education programme for pupils to overcome cultural divisions.”

Millington Primary School, Heather Murray, Principal, stated, “At Millington, we celebrate the diverse cultures that are found within our student and staff population and in our wider community. In our school alone, 30% of our pupils represent an amazing 24 countries and speak 17 different languages! Our students can develop an understanding of the perspectives of children from different backgrounds and learn to function in a multi-cultural, multi–ethnic environment, therefore preparing them for the diverse world in which we live.”

Controlled schools have a positive shared ethos which contributes significantly to the success of the sector, offering quality education, excellent pastoral care and a commitment to the well–being of every child.

Prayers for exams

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Photo credit: Ben White/Unsplash.

The Church of Ireland Board of Education (Northern Ireland) wishes to encourage parishes and schools in their prayers over the next few weeks to remember all those undertaking exams and those invigilating and marking them. The prayers below are offered as a guide and include prayers for use in a church service or assembly and prayers that can be shared with young people for their personal use.

For all those taking exams:

Father God,
We thank you that our names are written on the palm of your hand,
Not in the way we write things on our hands so as not to forget.
But because OUR name is constantly on your mind,
Because you KNOW us by name,
Because you CALL us by name
Because our name is PRECIOUS to you.

Today dear Lord we lift to you all those who are preparing for exams.
Bring peace to their bodies,
Quieten the beats of their racing hearts,
Allow clarity to reign in their minds.

May they rest and rejoice knowing
YOU are speaking their name,
YOU created them and know their inmost being,
YOU have a plan for their lives.

God of peace surround them,
God of power go before them,
God of love hold and sustain them.

Amen.

Author: Rachael Murphy, Church of Ireland Children and Families’ Officer

 

Dear Lord of body, mind and soul.

We think today of those about to take school and university exams and we ask you to give them your peace. We think also of those who invigilate and mark the exams, may you give them wisdom and compassion.

Be with the teachers, parents, family, and care givers as they support the young people both through the exams and with the results. May they show love and understanding and give them insight in guiding the young people forward with their lives.

Amen.

Author: Peter Hamill, Church of Ireland Board of Education (NI)

 

For young people to help them as they prepare and take exams:

Jesus,

Keep reminding me of the bigger picture over the next few weeks,

Keep me in your hands when all other hands disappear,

For I am convinced that neither entry requirements nor exam results, anticipation nor doubts, neither success nor failure, nor any expectations, neither last minute fears nor anxieties, nor anything else in life, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Please, don’t let me forget it!

Amen

Author: Church of England

 

Dear Lord,

As I prepare to write the test ahead of me, I pray that You will quiet any anxious thoughts inside me. When various distractions tempt me, could you help me remain focused and calm?

Please grant me the discipline to prioritize my studies and to be able to take my test knowing that I have done my part. I pray that You will bring to mind what I have studied when I write, give me an understanding of each topic, and peace when the time comes so that I might finish strong.

In Jesus’ matchless name, I pray. Amen.

Author: Charismatic Episcopal Church

Readers may also be interested in making use of and sharing prayers from Praying Together: Prayers for Primary School Assemblies, published by the Church of Ireland Centre at Dublin City University.

Education workshop goes ‘Beyond the Stereotype’

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A lively discussion involving around 50 representatives from churches, schools and a range of other key organisations with a role in education took place in Portadown, on Friday (25th March 2022) with a view to helping our children and young people to reach their full potential.

Attendees at the TRC’s workshop in Seagoe Parish Centre.

The workshop at Seagoe Parish Centre was hosted by the Transferor Representatives’ Council – representing the Church of Ireland, Presbyterian Church and Methodist Churches in relation to education in Northern Ireland – and focused on a new research report from Stranmillis University College, Beyond the Stereotype: Approaches to Educational Under(Achievement) in the Controlled Sector in Northern Ireland.

The study, which was commissioned and funded by the TRC, aims to go ‘beyond the stereotype’ of the well-documented challenge of underachievement among Protestant working-class boys from disadvantaged inner-city communities, and to ‘cast the net wider’ to provide a broader and more representative picture.  Particular challenges in rural communities, which have not been reported extensively to date in previous studies, are identified with some school leaders speaking of the difficulty in motivating boys to work hard towards GCSEs.

Significantly, Beyond the Stereotype also finds that while pupils view educational achievement as largely related to success in external exams (such as GCSEs and A-levels), many school and community leaders (including employers) place greater value on a wider range of skills and abilities, and pupils’ mental and physical health, self-confidence, happiness and willingness to learn.

From left: Dr Noel Purdy, Stranmillis University College; Linsey Farrell, Department of Education; Dr Peter Hamill, TRC Secretary; Rosemary Rainey OBE, TRC Chair; and Archbishop John McDowell.

Dr Noel Purdy, who led the research through Stranmillis’ Centre for Research in Educational Underachievement, said: “We’ve certainly identified lots of challenges – there are big challenges facing controlled schools and indeed every school in Northern Ireland – but what we did see was a diverse, committed, community-orientated and innovative sector which is committed to maximising achievement for all children.  In other words, allowing all the children in schools to stand tall and achieve to their full potential.”

Panel discussion with (from left) Mark Baker, Controlled Schools’ Support Council; Robin McLaughlin OBE, Principal of Banbridge Academy; Rosemary Rainey OBE; Cindy Poots, Principal of Seagoe Primary School; and Dr Noel Purdy.

The TRC represents its member churches in all matters of education in the region, and oversees the appointment of over 1,500 governors to controlled schools.  The three churches transferred (hence the origin of transferors) their school buildings, pupils and staff into state control on the understanding that the Christian ethos of these schools would be maintained.

More information on the work of the Centre for Research in Educational Underachievement (CREU) can be found at www.stran.ac.uk/research/creu

Please see gallery below for more photos from the workshop.