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
CSP Regional Gatherings Nov. 2013
1
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
CSP Regional Gatherings Nov. 2013
2
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
CSP Regional Gatherings Nov. 2013
3
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
CSP Regional Gatherings Nov. 2013
4
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
CSP Regional Gatherings Nov. 2013
5
Faith Schools
• Faith schools
- Religious education
- Deeper understanding of Christian faith
- Holistic – in dialogue with contemporary
culture
- Deepest respect for both faith and
reason
CSP Regional Gatherings Nov. 2013
6
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
CSP Regional Gatherings Nov. 2013
7
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
CSP Regional Gatherings Nov. 2013
8
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
CSP Regional Gatherings Nov. 2013
9
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
CSP Regional Gatherings Nov. 2013
10
Catholic Voluntary Secondary Schools
– Challenges for the Future
• 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
CSP Regional Gatherings Nov. 2013
11
Catholic Voluntary Secondary Schools
– Challenges for the Future
• 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
CSP Regional Gatherings Nov. 2013
12
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?
CSP Regional Gatherings Nov. 2013
13