Schools Reconfiguration for Diversity: Information about Multi-denominational Patrons

The aim of the schools reconfigurationt process is to create more multi-denominational primary schools in Ireland. The process helps schools to transfer patronage from denominational (religious) patrons to multi-denominational (non-religious) patrons, if the school community want this. 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 Programme for Government includes a commitment to seek “to increase choice for parents by ensuring that families can access both multi/non-denominational and faith-based education”.

Every school has a patron, who appoints a board of management to manage the school on their behalf. The patron determines the ethos of the school. Religious education or instruction may be provided at the school in line with the school’s ethos.

When a school changes patron, this is called a ‘transfer of patronage’. The new patron takes over responsibility for the school.

When a school transfers patronage, this can mean a change in its ethos. For example, a denominational (religious) school may become a multi-denominational school. For transfers of patronage to multi-denominational patron bodies, the school will change to a multi-denominational school. A change of ethos can take place at the same time as the transfer of patronage or can take place on a more gradual basis. For example, where each new intake of junior infants follows a multi-denominational programme, while the more senior classes continue to follow the denominational programme, until over time, all pupils are following a multi-denominational programme.

When a transfer of patronage takes place, there may be cultural and operational changes to school life. This can also mean changes in how the school is governed.

Primary schools can be English-medium schools or Irish-medium gaelscoileanna.

Primary schools include:

• State-funded mainstream primary schools and special schools, and
• non-State-funded private primary schools.

State-funded primary schools include:

• denominational schools (schools with a religious patron – the vast majority of primary schools are under Catholic patronage, for example parish schools with the local Catholic bishop as patron),
• multi-denominational schools (schools 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). Such schools do not provide religious instruction during the school day), and
• inter-denominational schools (schools under the patronage of more than one religious faith patron).

Multi-denominational primary schools deliver the national curriculum in the same way as all schools, regardless of patron, and are subject to the same Department of Education and Youth rules and regulations. Children in multi-denominational schools learn about all faiths and belief systems as part of the school day. In multi-denominational schools religious instruction/faith formation classes do not take place during the school day.

As parents, you will need to discuss religious teaching with your local church. For example, for Catholic religious instruction you will also need to talk to your parish priest when preparing for First Communion and Confirmation.

Practices may be different for each school.

Examples of the main multi-denominational patron bodies include:

• the 16 education and training boards (ETB);
• Educate Together; and
• An Foras Pátrúnachta (patron of some schools which provide education through Irish).

Education and Training Board multi-denominational Community National Schools teach a multi-belief and values education curriculum called “Goodness Me, Goodness You!”

• Educate Together multi-denominational primary schools teach a moral and ethical curriculum called “Learn Together”.
• Schools under the patronage of An Foras Pátrúnachta (patron of some Irish-medium schools - schools which provide education through the Irish language) have a dual ethos:

- to foster the Irish language, and

- a spiritual ethos (this can be denominational, multi-denominational or inter-denominational). The multi-denominational Irish-medium schools under the patronage of An Foras Pátrúnchta follow the Croí na Scoile (Heart of the School) Programme (written by the school in collaboration with An Foras Pátrúnachta) - Croí na Scoile - An Foras Pátrúnachtahttp

Further information

The websites of the main multi-denominational patron bodies are set out below.

• An Foras Pátrúnachta
• Community National Schools
• Education and Training Boards
• Educate Together