Board of Education (R.O.I.)29 Sep 14

Faith and Partnership in Second Level Schools the Focus of Landmark Conference

Representatives of 23 Protestant second level schools in the Republic of Ireland gathered under one roof on 26th September 2014 for the first time. They were attending a conference on ‘Faith and Partnership in Second Level Schools’ organised by the Church of Ireland Board of Education (RI). Participants, who were drawn from the Church of Ireland, Methodist, Presbyterian and Society of Friends, were joined by Minister for Education and Skills, Jan O’Sullivan TD, in the afternoon. The Minister took the opportunity to announce an increase in the Block Grant for the next two years.

Introducing the conference, Archbishop Michael Jackson, chairman of the board, said the aim of the event was to bring together the wealth of experience of individual schools. He added that while the schools were independent entities, they had a core responsibility for a particular tradition and community.

The conference drew on a wide range of speakers from Ireland, the UK and Germany and each provided valuable insights.

The morning began with a presentation by Margaret Gorman of Eversheds Solicitors who gave a synopsis of upcoming legal issues affecting schools. She spoke of laws relating to the education sector and imminent changes including the Admissions to School Bill, the Children First Bill, the Children and Family Relationships Bill and the Teaching Council Amendment Bill.

Dr Gerhard Pfeiffer, secretary of the International Association for Christian Education outlined the work of the European organisation which aims to promote Christian schools and Christian education. He highlighted the Schools 500 Reformation project which aims to connect 500 Protestant schools worldwide to celebrate the 500th anniversary of the Reformation. See schools500reformation.net for information.

Dr Anne Lodge and Archbishop Jackson introduced their pilot project ‘Ethos, Ether and Ethics: Exploring the social climate of Ireland’s Protestant Second Level Schools’. The study is an exploration of ethos in both policy and practice i n the participating schools. They hope to extend the study to all schools in an attempt to identify what makes Protestant schools function as they do and what makes them distinctive.

Professor Emer Smyth of the ESRI gave a presentation based on her work on ‘School Factors and Student Outcomes: Insights from Longitudinal Research’. She and her colleagues surveyed a group of students from different schools and from different socioeconomic backgrounds right the way their second level school career and beyond. She focused on three aspects: ability grouping, approaches to teaching and learning and school climate: day to day interaction between teachers and students.

Dr Sarah Bragg of the University of Brighton outlined research she undertook in the UK with Dr Helen Manchester on ‘Evaluation of the Nature and Impact of the Creative Partnerships Programme on School Ethos, 2009–10’. She addressed a number of issues including how the ethos created by a school is received by the children, why ethos matters, the link between ethos and attainment and ethos as branding. She suggested that schools should be striving for an ethos which is considerate, convivial and capacious.

The morning’s presentations were followed by a ‘fishbowl discussion’ moderated by Dr Ken Fennelly, secretary to the Board of Education (RI). Issues under consideration included: the possibility of a common support network, the diverse backgrounds of schools, students as the centre of what schools do, theological awareness in schools and the concept of reformation.

In the afternoon, Minister Jan O’Sullivan addressed the conference. She acknowledged that the 27 Protestant second level schools in the State shared an identity but were not a homogenous group. The Minister paid tribute to the inclusivity of Protestant schools.

‘The inclusive nature of Protestant schools is an important part of their tradition. People of a range of faith backgrounds and those of none can point to their acceptance and accommodation in Protestant schools. This acceptance and accommodation of diversity is a real strength of Protestant schools and is an asset to our system. I think that the broader community, far beyond the education system, can learn so much from how Protestant schools have accommodated diversity and difference while maintaining their tradition and ethos,’ she stated.

Minister O’Sullivan said she recognised that funding arrangements for fee–charging schools had been a challenge for many families. She announced an increase in the Block Grant, which the Department pays to the Secondary Education Committee and is used by families towards tuition fees or boarding costs.
 
‘As a practical indication of my support for Protestant second level schools, I have modestly increased this block grant for the school years 2014/15 and 2015/16. I recognise that there will always be demands for ever greater levels of funding, but I genuinely believe that the increase of €250,000 per year in this grant will help to ensure that parents can exercise choice in selecting a Protestant school for their children, if they wish to do so,’ she stated.

The Minister’s full speech is posted on the Dublin and Glendalough Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/DublinandGlendalough/posts/728646447171402

Presentations
Presentation by the International Association for Christian Education (MP4)

Presentation by University of Brighton “School ethos: beyond the quick fix and the silver bullet” (MP4)

Presentation by Eversheds “Legal developments in education” (MP4)

Presentation by ESRI “School factors and student outcomes: insights from longitudinal research” (MP4)

Presentation by Schools500Reformation (PDF)