The Transferor Representatives’ Council (TRC) – representing the Church of Ireland, the Presbyterian Church in Ireland, and the Methodist Church in Ireland in educational matters – today expressed its thanks and appreciation to principals, teachers and governors in these unprecedented times.

Speaking on behalf of the TRC, Chairperson Miss Rosemary Rainey said: “We want to express our sincere thanks and gratitude to principals, school teachers and governors who have being working hard during this period of uncertainty to continue providing education to the pupils in their care in these unprecedented times.

“At the beginning of the school year, our thoughts were focused on budgetary pressures and other significant challenges. We could never have imagined the crisis that was to come.

“Across society we are being asked to make significant changes to our daily patterns and habits and those involved in delivering or receiving education are no exception.  While nothing can match the face–to–face classroom experience, we recognise and greatly appreciate the enormous efforts that have been made throughout to ensure that children and young people continue to have an opportunity to learn while they face a period of separation from their peers.

Miss Rainey concluded by saying: “There are undoubtedly more difficult times ahead for us all, but please be assured of the prayers of both TRC and the Churches at this time.”

A new video from the Transferors Representatives’ Council presents an overview of the role of a transferor governor in controlled schools in Northern Ireland. The video outlines the creative opportunities and responsibilities of governors in the promotion of a positive Christian ethos in their school. Being a governor is both a rewarding and challenging role. Governors are asked to attend meetings in their school on a regular basis. They will deal with all aspects of governance of the school, including finance, staffing issues, appointments, forward planning, safeguarding, complaints and inspections.

The Transferors Representatives’ Council represents the Church of Ireland, Presbyterian Church in Ireland, and Methodist Church in Ireland in relation to educational issues in Northern Ireland.

The Controlled Schools’ Support Council (CSSC) has launched the first ‘baseline assessment’ of the controlled schools sector in Northern Ireland.

Controlled schools are non–denominational and firmly set within an ethos embedded in Christian values. The majority historically were given by the Churches to the Government for their control. They are open to pupils of all faiths or none, and account for 558 schools in Northern Ireland: 48% of the total number of schools.

As this research demonstrates, the controlled education sector is complex and diverse. It is also the only education sector to comprise a full range of schools, with nursery, primary, special and non–selective post–primary schools sitting alongside grammar, integrated, Irish medium and Dickson Plan schools.

Dr Peter Hamill, Secretary to the Church of Ireland’s Board of Education (Northern Ireland), is a member of the board of the CSSC, as a representative of the Transferor Representatives’ Council. He explained the importance of this piece of research, saying: “We believe that this is the first time that such a detailed piece of work has been carried out that clearly demonstrates the size and complexity of the controlled education sector. The findings also seek to dispel many misconceptions about the sector.”

Some of the key findings from the research include:

• the controlled sector has over 140,000 pupils;
• over 8,500 teachers are employed in controlled schools;
• the majority of nursery schools and primary schools in Northern Ireland are controlled;
• 95% of all special schools belong to the controlled sector;
• over a third of newcomer pupils attend controlled schools;
• 31% of all controlled pupils are entitled to free school meals; and
• over 28,000 primary and post–primary pupils in the sector have special educational needs.

In terms of religion:

• 66% of pupils are Protestant;
• 10% of pupils are Catholic;
• 5% of pupils are from other Christian traditions;
• 1% of pupils are from non–Christian religions; and
• 18% of pupils indicate no religion.

“The religious breakdown of individual controlled schools often reflects their community,” Dr Hamill commented. “For example, I know of some controlled schools that have an almost 50:50 religious balance and a small number that are over 90% Catholic. It is therefore misleading to describe controlled schools as the ‘Protestant sector’.

“Indeed, controlled schools have great religious diversity and provide education for more pupils of no religion than any other sector.”

Barry Mulholland, Chief Executive, Controlled Schools’ Support Council (CSSC); Mervyn Storey MLA; Raymond McFeeters, CSSC board member on behalf of the special schools sector; Derek Baker, Permanent Secretary, Department of Education; and Dr Peter Hamill, Secretary to the Church of Ireland Board of Education (Northern Ireland).

The CSSC has been in operation for just one year, and has plans to use this research to tackle some of the challenges facing schools.

Dr Hamill concluded: “It is essential that we have evidence to underpin our programme of work going forward and this baseline assessment is the first part of that. It is already leading to a better understanding of what controlled schools are, the diversity within the sector and the challenges that face teachers and pupils alike, particularly given the lack of funding for education right across the board.

“The CSSC is proud to be the first advocacy body for controlled schools. Our dedicated and experienced team of staff will provide member schools with the support they need to enable their schools, teachers and pupils to thrive.”

This article was first published in The Church of Ireland Gazette.