Consultation on Catholic schools shake up

The Northern Ireland Commission for Catholic Education has published its consultation document containing options for the future provision of post-primary education in the County Antrim area.

Cross and Passion College in Ballycastle is included in the scheme along with four other schools in the county - St Killian's College, Carnlough; St Louis' Grammar School, Ballymena, St Patrick's College, Ballymena and St Benedict's College, Randalstown.

There are currently 3,525 pupils in the five schools which have a capacity for 3,770 pupils. It is expected there will need to be places for approximately 3,200 - 3,400 pupils by 2018.

Under the proposals the five co-educational schools schools would work together in a range of areas including:

- curriculum provision

- developing an agreed admissions policy

- pastoral care

- ethos development

- sharing of staff

- staff appointments

- continuous professional development

- uses of resources

Under the proposals Cross and Passion College would remain as an 11-19 co-educational school to serve pupils from Ballycastle and the surrounding area.

St Killian's would have the same status to serve those from the Glens and East Antrim area.

There are two options under consideration for the Antrim, Ballymena and Randalstown area.

The first is that St Patrick's becomes an 11-14 school as does St Benedict's with St Louis' Grammar catering for 14-19 year olds.

The second is that St Patrick's is an 11-14 school and St Louis' again is for those 14-19 but St Benedict's College is an 11-19 school.

The options have been developed in consultation with local grammar and maintained schools' principals, governors and Trustees.

Gerry Lundy, Director of the Post -primary Review, said: "The post-primary sector faces a number of significant challenges including declining demographics, the debate over the ending of academic selection, changes in the curriculum as well as the development of area-based planning.

"This consultation, which is the biggest ever undertaken by Catholic Trustees in Northern Ireland, includes options which will help address these challenges."

He urged all stakeholders, including parents, teachers, pupils and all those with an interest in the long-term provision of education in the Co Antrim area to respond to the consultation.

"This document outlines the options which the Commission would ask the local community to consider," he said.

"This is an opportunity for all those interested in post-primary education to have their say and it is vital that we receive as much feedback as possible. We welcome views and considerations on our options or any other options or proposals which might address the challenges facing post-primary education.

"Once completed the outcome of the consultation will be shared with our schools and their communities as well as the Department of Education and other education stakeholders," he added.

The publication of these options follows the launch of the document 'Catholic Education for All: Shaping the future of Post Primary Education' by Cardinal San Brady.

Speaking at St Catherine's College, Armagh, he said: "This is an initial consultation and an inclusive consultation. The Catholic Trustees want to explore with stakeholders, including other school providers, how we can co-operate in new and creative ways to provide the best possible education for every child.

"The decisions we reach at the conclusion of this consultation process will shape the delivery of Catholic education in Norther