Education

The aims of the General Synod Board of Education are to:

• Define the policy of the Church in education, both religious and secular, and, in promotion of this policy, to take such steps as may be deemed necessary to co–ordinate activities in all fields of education affecting the interests of the Church of Ireland;
• Maintain close contact with Government, Diocesan Boards of Education, and other educational and school authorities with a view to ascertaining the most efficient and economical use of resources, including funds, transport facilities and teachers;
• Study any legislation or proposed legislation likely to affect the educational interests of the Church of Ireland and take such action with respect thereto as it may deem necessary;
• Deliberate and confer on all educational matters affecting the interests of the Church; and
• Make such enquiries as it shall deem to be requisite and communicate with government authorities and all such bodies and persons as it shall consider necessary.

The Board of Education (Republic of Ireland) advises the General Synod of developments in educational policy, represents the Church as an educational partner to the Department of Education and Skills and other educational bodies, and provides advice to school patrons and boards of management on the management of schools.

It also supports Religious Education in primary schools under Protestant management through the Follow Me programme, and co–ordinates and encourages participation in the Synod Examination in Religious Education.  The Board facilitates Garda vetting of workers and volunteers in Church of Ireland primary schools and parishes.

News items for the Board of Education (RI) may be accessed by clicking here

The Board of Education (Northern Ireland) aims to develop, in conjunction with other churches, a clear and shared vision of education shaped by the core values of the Christian faith, and to seek continued curriculum support of the Religious Education core syllabus in schools.

It advises the General Synod of developments in educational policy in Northern Ireland and represents the Church as an educational partner to the Department of Education and other educational bodies.

The Board liaises with other churches within the Transferor Representatives’ Council (TRC) in promoting the interests and safeguarding the rights of transferors, facilitates the nomination of transferor governors to controlled primary and secondary schools, and makes submissions to relevant Government consultations.  It also engages with the Education Authority and institutions of higher education, and provides a training and advisory service to Bishops, dioceses and parishes in the implementation of Safeguarding Trust.

News items for the Board of Education (NI) may be accessed by clicking here

Safeguarding Trust is the child protection policy for the Church of Ireland.  Resources are available on its website: www.sgt.ireland.anglican.org

The Follow Me series of Religious Education books is accessible from www.followme-series.org

This project is the Religious Education Programme for National Schools in the Republic of Ireland under the patronage of the Church of Ireland, the Methodist Church in Ireland and the Presbyterian Church in Ireland.

• Financial assistance towards education for Church of Ireland children in the Republic of Ireland

  PDF of Grant Awarding Bodies – updated February 2017

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