Menu
17/06/2019
22 NI Schools May Face Closure
22 schools in Northern Ireland may be considered for closure due to sustainability issues, the latest Education Authority report has found.
In some areas there are too many school places for the population size, while in others there are not enough places for pupils, as revealed in the third of three Annual Action Plans.
The EA produced the review in partnership with the Council for Catholic Maintained Schools (CCMS) and both bodies will now consult with each of the schools identified to assess where sustainability is an issue. Each school will also have a future pathway identified for them by March 2021.
EA Interim Director of Education, Kim Scott, said the challenge remains that many schools are too small to provide pupils a "broad and balanced" curriculum, including extra-curricular activities and high-quality pastoral care.
She added: "In many areas of Northern Ireland there are too many school places for the size of the population, while in other areas and sectors, there are not enough places. Area planning seeks solutions to these issues to ensure all pupils have the opportunity to fulfil their potential. Some areas may have relatively simple solutions such as increasing the enrolment number of a school, while other areas may require amalgamations, closures, change of school management type, or sharing of resources.
"The area planning process brings all education bodies in Northern Ireland around the same table to seek solutions to the often complex challenges including changing demographics and multiple school sectors within specific areas. All local solutions will of course be subject to full consultation.
"The purpose of area planning is to ensure that children, no matter where they live or what school sector they choose, have access to high quality education that is delivered in schools that are educationally and financially sustainable."
A mixture of primary, post-primary, catholic and integrated schools were among those identified as having sustainability issues.
(JG/MH)
In some areas there are too many school places for the population size, while in others there are not enough places for pupils, as revealed in the third of three Annual Action Plans.
The EA produced the review in partnership with the Council for Catholic Maintained Schools (CCMS) and both bodies will now consult with each of the schools identified to assess where sustainability is an issue. Each school will also have a future pathway identified for them by March 2021.
EA Interim Director of Education, Kim Scott, said the challenge remains that many schools are too small to provide pupils a "broad and balanced" curriculum, including extra-curricular activities and high-quality pastoral care.
She added: "In many areas of Northern Ireland there are too many school places for the size of the population, while in other areas and sectors, there are not enough places. Area planning seeks solutions to these issues to ensure all pupils have the opportunity to fulfil their potential. Some areas may have relatively simple solutions such as increasing the enrolment number of a school, while other areas may require amalgamations, closures, change of school management type, or sharing of resources.
"The area planning process brings all education bodies in Northern Ireland around the same table to seek solutions to the often complex challenges including changing demographics and multiple school sectors within specific areas. All local solutions will of course be subject to full consultation.
"The purpose of area planning is to ensure that children, no matter where they live or what school sector they choose, have access to high quality education that is delivered in schools that are educationally and financially sustainable."
A mixture of primary, post-primary, catholic and integrated schools were among those identified as having sustainability issues.
(JG/MH)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
28 November 2024
Ministers Back New Tech Solutions To Tackle Violence Against Women
Junior Ministers Aisling Reilly and Pam Cameron have met with six suppliers who will develop new tech solutions to tackle violence against women and girls. The six suppliers were selected as part of the Executive's Strategic Framework to End Violence Against Women and Girls.
Ministers Back New Tech Solutions To Tackle Violence Against Women
Junior Ministers Aisling Reilly and Pam Cameron have met with six suppliers who will develop new tech solutions to tackle violence against women and girls. The six suppliers were selected as part of the Executive's Strategic Framework to End Violence Against Women and Girls.
21 November 2024
UK Education Ministers Meet In Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland hosted the fifth UK Education Ministers' Council (EMC) meeting at Laurelhill Community College in Lisburn.
UK Education Ministers Meet In Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland hosted the fifth UK Education Ministers' Council (EMC) meeting at Laurelhill Community College in Lisburn.
17 April 2002
Catholic Bishops declare opposition to academic selection
The Stormont Education Minister Martin McGuinness has welcomed the Northern Catholic Bishops’ statement on the future process of academic selection. The Northern Bishops said in a statement on Tuesday April 16 that they wanted to “maintain and enhance quality but not promote elitism”.
Catholic Bishops declare opposition to academic selection
The Stormont Education Minister Martin McGuinness has welcomed the Northern Catholic Bishops’ statement on the future process of academic selection. The Northern Bishops said in a statement on Tuesday April 16 that they wanted to “maintain and enhance quality but not promote elitism”.
14 November 2024
Minister Reacts To Teachers' Union Ballot Threat
Education Minister Paul Givan has responded to the announcement by several teachers' unions that they plan to ballot their members for industrial action over 2024/25 pay. Earlier this year, the Minister provided funding to successfully resolve the long-running industrial dispute over teachers' pay for 2021-24.
Minister Reacts To Teachers' Union Ballot Threat
Education Minister Paul Givan has responded to the announcement by several teachers' unions that they plan to ballot their members for industrial action over 2024/25 pay. Earlier this year, the Minister provided funding to successfully resolve the long-running industrial dispute over teachers' pay for 2021-24.
06 October 2009
Republic's Minority School Cuts Opposed
Cutbacks in non Catholic schools across the Irish Republic are being opposed. It has emerged that Protestants in the State are to 'take the fight' to the Daíl to try to halt cuts to school budgets.
Republic's Minority School Cuts Opposed
Cutbacks in non Catholic schools across the Irish Republic are being opposed. It has emerged that Protestants in the State are to 'take the fight' to the Daíl to try to halt cuts to school budgets.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:Rain clearing away east by early evening with some clear spells but a few showers likely to affect the North coast and other areas towards dawn, remaining breezy and mild overnight. Minimum temperature 9 °C.
