Patronage/Ethos

All recognised primary schools (irrespective of patron):

• follow the national curriculum
• follow the Department of Education and Youth rules and regulations
• have a school patron.

The school patron appoints a Board of Management to manage the school on their behalf. Under the Education Act, 1998 the patron also decides on the ethos of the school.

A denominational school is a school with a religious patron – the vast majority of primary schools are under Catholic patronage. A multi-denominational school is a school under a non-religious patron, where children learn about all faiths and belief systems through a multi-denominational programme. Examples include Community National Schools in the ETB sector, Educate Together schools and An Foras Pátrúnachta schools.

The Primary School Survey includes the following question on patronage/ethos preference:

Would you prefer your primary school to operate under a denominational (religious) patron or to operate under a multi-denominational (non-religious) patron?

The survey is not a final step. Where there is clear support from parents and guardians for change from denominational (religious) patrons to multi-denominational (non-religious) patrons to be considered, a further process of inclusive dialogue will begin to help such schools on their change journey.

Further information on patronage, ethos, reconfiguration, multi-denominational schools, the main multi-denominational patron bodies and other useful information is available here:

www.gov.ie/schoolsreconfiguration