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Controlled Schools’ Support Council statement on ‘The Cost of Division in Northern Ireland’ report

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The Controlled Schools’ Support Council, on which the TRC is represented, has issued the following statement on an Ulster University report on education in Northern Ireland, published on Tuesday, 4th April 2023:

Today’s report from Ulster University, partially funded by the Integrated Education Fund, states that the significant underfunding in education is due to duplication.  The Controlled Schools’ Support Council (CSSC) would contend that this is an incorrect assertion and weakens the case for equality of education funding for our children and young people.

The report includes a misunderstanding of funding from external sources as well as questionable estimates based on attributed and not actual costs.

Our concern is that the report allows the Secretary of State and others to question the fundamental requirement for Northern Ireland education to receive funding equal to other regions in the UK as highlighted recently by leaders in education.

In addition to the above concerns, this desk-based analysis hasn’t included any engagement with those working across education and neither does it include any actionable recommendations.

At a time when all education bodies in Northern Ireland agree that education here is significantly underfunded, the report will damage the case for equal funding for education here when compared to all other regions in the UK.

CSSC supports children and young people being educated together and agrees with the need for transformation and investment in the education system in Northern Ireland. We need a vision and strategy for education that includes everyone working together and all voices being listened to.  Our society is divided across a number of areas; however presenting education as being the problem is a misunderstanding of the role of our schools.

Church of Ireland Lecture at Queen’s unpacks a Christian vision for education

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Christians can model a warm sense of covenant and hospitality in how they provide education on behalf of the state, leading educationalist Professor Trevor Cooling said on Monday evening (20th March) as he delivered the Church of Ireland’s 65th Annual Theological Lecture at Queen’s.

Professor Cooling, from Canterbury Christ Church University, was speaking at Stranmillis University College, which is currently marking its centenary year. He suggested that there is a difficulty when facts are elevated above values as everyone interprets knowledge in certain ways depending on the values which they hold. “We are all people of faitph,” he remarked, “because knowledge is not just something ‘out there’ – it is personal; it is something we interact with as human beings.”

Drawing on the thinking of Bishop Lesslie Newbigin, he noted that the Church had a role in preparing lay people for their vocation and in order to do this well, lay people also need to think very carefully about their context. The theologian Professor NT Wright, for example, has compared applying the Bible in modern societies to discovering an unfinished Shakespearean play with four chapters already written and asking a group of specialists to write endings for it. The result should be “consistent with the authority of the first four acts but will be innovative, depending on the interests and concerns of the specialist writer.”

One innovative application, highlighted by a research project which studied teachers working in church schools in England, was made by a PE teacher who explored how he could teach the push–pass in hockey. This meant teaching the move and then encouraging students to partner in twos and help each other to improve their performance, therefore modelling a Christian theology of servanthood rather than the populist influence of élite performance.

Introductory remarks by Dr Jonathan Heggarty, Principal of Stranmillis University College.

In another setting, a primary school teacher explored how practical hospitality to the stranger (as lived out through the Old and New Testaments) can be a very positive value in our society today.  In a science lesson, co–operating as a group in a way that makes the newcomer feel like a contributor, with a curiosity about his or her views, also shows the Christian faith in practice in schools (as well as developing an understanding of how scientific teams work).  Teachers who wish to explore this theme can find out more on the www.whatiflearning.com website, which is intentionally built around concrete examples of teachers connecting Christian faith with their teaching.

This approach also reshapes how we think about salvation, so that we think in terms of God’s promised new Heaven and new Earth, and the promise of a resurrected life to share in that reality.  Professor Cooling concurred with NT Wright’s conclusion that what we do with our lives “in the present matters because God has a great future in store.” Christian teachers therefore have an important role as providing a faithful presence and as ambassadors of God’s Kingdom – a life defined by being lived in God’s way that points to God’s promised future – in the places where they serve.

In a diverse society, he outlined two approaches to disagreement – the consensus of conforming to a ‘secular’ position, or being part of a coalition whereby people who fundamentally disagree with each other live well together in the same space.  And, in conclusion, he noted that covenant in a biblical sense offered a powerful theological model for church schools where everyone is valued and feels that they belong.

Professor Cooling’s career has taken him from working as a secondary school teacher to lecturing in theology, and serving as a diocesan adviser and as CEO of a Christian education charity.  He also chairs a primary school board of governors.  He was welcomed by the Bishop of Down and Dromore, the Rt Revd David McClay, and the College’s Principal, Dr Jonathan Heggarty.  Attendees put their questions to him in a thoughtful and wide–ranging Q&A session immediately following the lecture.

Please click on the link below to catch up on the full lecture:

Why should churches be involved in education?  Peter Hamill, Secretary of our Board of Education (Northern Ireland) had a chat with Professor Cooling on this question before the lecture.

A full photo gallery from the evening:

Attendees at the Church of Ireland Theological Lecture at Queen

With thanks to David Pope for photography and James Poston Films for videography.

Schools welcome Presbyterian Moderator

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The Moderator taking questions at GCSE Religious Studies class in Kilkeel High.

As part of his recent pastoral tour of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland’s Presbytery of Newry, the Church’s Moderator, the Right Reverend Dr John Kirkpatrick, visited three schools: Kingsmills Primary, Newry High and Kilkeel High Schools.

The Presbytery of Newry is one PCI’s 19 regional presbyteries and during their year in office Moderators undertake individual weeklong tours of four of them. On each one education always plays an important part as Moderators are keen to meet and encourage the principals, teachers and governors and hear from, and engage with, the pupils.

“Just before Christmas last year, ahead of the end of term, I wrote on behalf of the Church to the principals of controlled schools across Northern Ireland. I wanted to express our heartfelt thanks to all staff and governors for their dedication and commitment to the education of children and young people, particularly during what has been challenging times,” Dr Kirkpatrick said.

“My visits to Kingsmills Primary, Newry High and Kilkeel High Schools have given me an opportunity to reiterate those sentiments personally, and see first-hand the great work that is being done, especially within the values and principles of a Christian ethos, which is at the heart of Northern Ireland’s controlled schools. It has also been an opportunity to hear of the day-to-day challenges that schools face, in particular supporting those pupils with increased mental health issues.

Dr Kirkpatrick continued, “As a Church we have supported and invested in education for over a century and that will continue as it is part of our denomination’s DNA, along with our ongoing desire to see children and young people learn and flourish together within those important and precious values.”

Since he became Moderator in June of last year Dr Kirkpatrick has visited around 10 schools and the final one on his Presbytery Tour itinerary was Kilkeel High School, where he spent time with the senior staff, the chair and members of the Board of Governors. He also attended the senior Scripture Union meeting and answered questions during GCSE and A-Level Religious Studies classes.

Owing to a clash of diaries, Victor Coert, Kilkeel High School’s principal, was at an educational conference in Birmingham for the visit, but said that it was an honour have Dr Kirkpatrick and his colleagues visit the school. “We have been offering high quality education based on Christian principles since 1953 and we are looking forward to celebrating our 70th anniversary this coming September,” Mr Coert said.

Talking about the school, which he has led since 2013, he continued, “Our numbers have increased by 100 to over 740-plus during the last decade, along with our results, and we are also very proud of our partnership with St Louis’ Grammar School through the Shared Education Programme, a relationship that we have enjoyed for the past 15 years. This mutually beneficial partnership has been pivotal to school life and our growth in so many ways. It has also enriched the experience of our young people,” he continued.

“For example, one of the benefits of the relationship is that the study of A ‘Level subjects isn’t limited to what we teach at Kilkeel High, as our students can study various subjects at St Louis, while St Louis students can come here to study those subjects that aren’t taught there. This broadens curricula choice and other opportunities. There is a tremendous respect between the schools and it is something that works really well for both of us.”

Talking about the school’s Christian ethos, Mr Coert said, “Seventy years ago the school was established on Christian principles that are found in scripture. Today that special ethos continues to be at the heart of our identity and the way we treat one another from the classroom to the playground, and the sports pitches when we play other schools. We have a vibrant Scripture Union and regular assemblies and it is something we highlight during the transfer year, as parents look at schools for their children. We believe our commitment to our Christian ethos is another reason for our growth, with our pupils coming from as far as Newcastle and Clough.”

During his weeklong tour Dr Kirkpatrick met with local ministers, preached in local congregations, visited farmers and members of the local fishing community, senior healthcare staff and chaplains at Daisy Hill Hospital and the Southern Area Hospice. “It has been a privilege to spend time at each of the schools, hearing the challenges that they face, especially the imminent closure of Kingsmills Primary for example, while getting to know and appreciate the deep commitment each has to enabling their pupils to flourish,” Dr Kirkpatrick said.

“As with my visit to Ballycastle High School in November, I saw again the real value of the Shared Education Programme. I have also seen the depth and appreciation of the Christian ethos and principles that emanate from that across so many schools. During my visits I have had an opportunity to meet many governors, teachers and pupils and really appreciated the time that everyone has taken and the welcome shown to us. I would encourage everyone to pray for all our schools and the work that they do for today’s generation, and the issues that they face.”

Education body chiefs meet Minister of State

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In January, leaders of the seven bodies representing sectoral interests in education wrote to the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland and the Permanent Secretary for the Department for Education regarding their grave concerns surrounding proposed funding cuts to the education budget. Having met the Permanent Secretary last month, the group met with Minister of State, the Rt Hon Steve Baker MP on Wednesday 8th March, as figures from the Education Authority show 50% of schools will face financial deficit by the end of this month.

Leaders of education sectoral bodies with Steve Baker MP, Minister of State in the Northern Ireland Office.

Despite funding being already significantly lower than that received for the education of children and young people aged 3-19 in England, Scotland, and Wales, indicative figures signify that education in Northern Ireland is now facing additional cuts. These will result in a reduction in outcomes for children and young people across Northern Ireland, and diminish their opportunities to contribute to society. The group also warned that failure to address the problem immediately, would have a negative impact for many generations to come and lead to higher spending in other government areas including health and justice.

The group is made up of the chief executives and chairs of the Catholic Schools’ Trustees Service, Comhairle na Gaelscolaíochta, Council for Catholic Maintained Schools, Council for Integrated Education, Controlled Schools’ Support Council, Governing Bodies Association NI and the Transferor Representatives’ Council (TRC).

Speaking after the meeting, TRC Chair Dr Andy Brown said, “£100 million annually is needed to ‘level-up’ education provision in Northern Ireland to the lowest of Scotland, England, and Wales. We have listened to our school leaders, fifty per cent of whom have stated they will face financial deficit from 31 March 2023. Further cuts are simply not the answer.

“Northern Ireland is a very different place to England, Scotland and Wales and has had significant periods without government, without strategy and without substantial investment in education. There is a strong argument to be made that there is more need in Northern Ireland for that reason. The prosperity that was promised to all children and young people in a post conflict situation since the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement requires an investment in the education sector. The time to redress this historical underfunding and put our young people on an even footing to England, Scotland and Wales is now. The time to invest in and enable our young people is now.”

TRC Chair Dr Andy Brown discusses education funding with Minister Baker.

Dr Brown continued, “A generation of school children is missing out. Whilst their schools find creative ways of educating and inspiring the next generation, they do so under the spectre of systemic underfunding, with scant resources and often in buildings not fit for purpose. School leaders, teachers and other education professionals are struggling; they, and the children and communities they serve, deserve better.”

Following the meeting, the group issued the education spokespersons of Northern Ireland’s main political parties an invitation to an urgent meeting on funding.

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.”