Press Releases19 Feb 15

Patrons Respond To Value For Money Report On Small Schools

Church Of Ireland Patrons respond to announcement of publication of Value For Money (VFM) Report on ‘Small Schools’ (Primary) by the Department Of Education & Skills and proposals around a Voluntary Amalgamation Protocol

The Church of Ireland Primary Schools patrons have made the following statement today:

‘We note with great interest the confirmation by the Minister for Education and Skills of the publication of the Value for Money (VFM) Report on Small Schools (Primary) and will give it our close consideration.

‘We welcome the invitation by the Minister for Education to enter into a dialogue regarding the future sustainability of smaller rural schools. As Church of Ireland patrons we look forward to engaging with the Minister in further discussions on this matter in due course and in particular on the detail of a proposed voluntary amalgamation protocol for small primary schools within a certain radial proximity.

‘In particular, we are encouraged by the indication of alleviations in teacher appointment and retention thresholds for one teacher schools in isolated locations.’