Last week proved a difficult one for two North Down schools, with Bangor Academy and Sixth Form College and Rathmore Primary School seeing proposals to switch to integrated status denied by the Education Minister.
The reception was as frosty as the weather when, blessed with a crystal ball, the minister said he could not foresee enough Catholics attending in future years to merit the switch. The decisions raised questions over what exactly people believe integrated education is.
The people of north down whose children attend both schools voted overwhelmingly in favour of moving to integrated status and will have been left wondering why their parental choice has been removed and what they can do now. There may be a chance soon with a revised Integrated Education Strategy and Action Plan on the way.
“I am considering the comments by the Northern Ireland Council for Integrated Education, the Integrated Education Fund and the Controlled Secondary School Council and expect to publish this for public consultation in January 2025,” the minister said.
There may well be a few more people willing to be consulted publicly.
****************************************************************
2025 could become the year of the school fundraiser if parents want their children to enjoy the benefits of schools trips they enjoyed during their own time in education.
The Education Authority has admitted the price of hiring an EA school bus for such purposes has risen by 20% in the past two years. No sponsored swim then — whatever money raised will only go towards the cost of getting all the pupils to the pool in the first place. All rather self-defeating in results, with the exercise benefits the only bonus.
The EA bus hire scheme is operated on a ‘no profit’ basis. The EA might not profit, but further down the line, someone likely does. The message is pretty simple for school principals. ”My department does not provide additional funding to schools for travel associated with extra-curricular activities,” the minister said.
“This is a matter for individual schools to organise and fund, either via the school’s delegated budget (if this can be justified) or through voluntary contributions or fundraising events.” You want it, you pay for it yourself then.
********************************************************************
Throughout January Holy Family Primary School in Belfast the school has teamed up with The Belfast Charitable Society to provide free school dinners for all pupils in the primary and nursery departments.
It may be an example of communities working in partnership, it’s also a sad reflection that a charity must step in.
No such luck in south Derry, where pupils at Magherafelt High School had to stay at home when kitchen staff had no hot water and couldn’t cook because the school heating system failed as temperatures plummeted.