Irish Catholic Voluntary Secondary Schools– November 2013

CSP Regional Gatherings Nov. 2013 1

Irish Catholic Voluntary Secondary Schools– November 2013

• A vision for Catholic Secondary Schools• Teaching and learning in 21st Century• Types of schools• Faith schools• Evolution of the second-level school system in

Ireland • Catholic Secondary Schools - Challenges for the

Future• Key questions


Catholic Secondary Schools – A Vision

• Vision for Catholic Secondary Schools- 360 Catholic Secondary Schools in Ireland- Long and varied tradition- Dignity of the human person- Creating an inclusive community in service

of the common good- Knowledge is sought and respected and

Faith is nurtured and respected


Catholic Secondary Schools – Teaching and Learning

• Teaching and Learning in the 21st Century- Innovation and knowledge economy- More fully human- Create a literate society

• Role of Parents


Secondary Schools – Types

• Different types of schools• No value-neutral education

• Faith schools – exist in almost all countries- Question of God cannot be avoided in education- Identity of believers inseparable from their

religious faith


Faith Schools

• Faith schools- Principle of subsidiarity- Contributes to the common good

• Social inclusion- Catholic schools - caring and inclusive

communities – respectful of difference- Parental choice and the common good


Faith Schools

• Faith schools

- Religious education- Deeper understanding of Christian faith- Holistic – in dialogue with contemporary

culture- Deepest respect for both faith and

reason


Evolution of the Second-level School System

– Voluntary denominational secondary schools in many towns/cities– 1967 – Free Education Scheme– 1930’s – VECs – now ETBs– 1960s – Comprehensive schools– 1970s – Community schools– 1980s – Community colleges – designated and

non-designated


Irish Catholic Voluntary Secondary Schools – the Present

• Decline in the number of voluntary secondary schools – 109 decrease in period 1990 to 2010

• Programme of rationalisation• No voluntary secondary schools in some areas• Seeking equalisation of funding with other sectors• Some voluntary secondary schools suffering from

severe curricular and financial challenges• Issues of identity at local school level• Strategic Plan – local, regional, national


Catholic Voluntary Secondary Schools – Future Directions

• Future directions- Challenge for faith schools to articulate a vision and clarity of purpose

• Key issues in relation to:- Stand-alone schools- Areas served by 2-5 Catholic Schools- Areas served by 6 or more Catholic schools


Catholic Voluntary Secondary Schools – Challenges for the Future

• Stand-alone schools – 176 (24% of total) of which 44 are voluntary

• Planning for future provision- Provide an education for the whole community- Must be inclusive- Co-education important- Curricular and financial viability- Impact of changes in school transport and IT



• Areas served by 2-5 Catholic Schools – planning for future provision

- Create a sense of a Catholic education community among groups of voluntary schools

- Possible rationalisation in order to secure the provision of Catholic secondary education

- Co-education



• Areas served by 6 or more Catholic schools – planning for future provision

- Future provision of Catholic secondary education must take into account parental choice, diversity and existing arrangements

- Devise a strategic plan for each of the five cities


Irish Catholic Voluntary Secondary Schools – Key Questions

• Future directions – key questions :

1. Did the presentation capture the reality of Catholic secondary schools in Ireland today?

2. What are the steps that must be taken to ensure the provision of Catholic secondary education in the future?

Documents

Irish Catholic Voluntary Secondary Schools– November 2013