The Minister thanked the independent panel that recommended the schools for inclusion and commended the 13 new pilot schools.
The minister said: “I wish to congratulate the 13 schools on their success and to thank the panel members for their work during the assessment process. I know that the panel was impressed by the commitment and energy expended and the high degree of professionalism evident in all of the applications, and I hope that this is some compensation for those schools who were not successful this time.”
In their advice to the Minister, the panel members stated that the applications demonstrate that the post-primary community is committed to excellence, and prepared to engage meaningfully with other education partners and the wider community to enrich the learning experiences and life opportunities of young people and for the benefit of their local community. The new pilot schools cover a range of specialisms, school types and geographical areas.
The Minister added: “I am encouraged by the findings of the panel as it is a clear indication that post primary schools are actively seeking to work together in the best interest of the young people and the wider community. Over the coming months I will be working to ensure that arrangements are in place to support further development of collaborative arrangements not just between schools, but across the education sector and to ensure that all young people have the opportunity to reach their full potential”
NOTES TO EDITORS
The schools announced today as suitable for designation as specialist schools in Sept 2007 are:
SCHOOL |
SPECIALISM |
AREA |
|---|---|---|
| Hazelwood Integrated College | Arts - Visual | NEWTOWNABBEY |
| Portora Royal | Arts - Performing and Visual | ENNISKILLEN |
| Carrickfergus College | Business and Enterprise | CARRICKFERGUS |
| St Patrick’s and St Brigid’s College | Business and Enterprise | CLAUDY |
| Grosvenor Grammar School | Languages | BELFAST |
| Belfast High School | Languages | NEWTOWNABBEY |
| St Columb’s College | Mathematics and Computing | DERRY |
| Loreto College | Science | COLERAINE |
| St Patrick’s College | Science | MAGHERA |
| St Mary’s Grammar | Science | MAGHERAFELT |
| St Colman’s College | Science | NEWRY |
| Dromore High School | Science | DROMORE |
| Cross and Passion College | Sport | BALLYCASTLE |
There are currently 12 schools taking part in the specialist schools pilot designated as specialist from 1 September 2006. Following an evaluation of the first year of the pilot, schools were invited to submit applications seeking inclusion in year two.
98 post-primary schools attended information sessions on the specialist application process and applications were received from 25 schools by the 30 March 2007 deadline.
Each school was required to submit the following:-
- A four-year School Development Plan (SDP).
- A four-year Community Development Plan (CDP) that involves developing partnerships with at least 5 partner schools. This should be a mix of primary and post-primary schools, including at least two post-primary schools.
- Evidence of, or evidence of how a school intends to raise, at least £25,000 of unconditional private sector sponsorship
- A bid for a one-off support grant and an outline of how this would be used.
Schools will be designated for a period of 4 years and will receive £100 per pupil in each of the 4 years to support equally the implementation of the school and community development plans and up to £100,000 support grant to add to the £25,000 sponsorship raised to enhance provision in the specialist area.
An Independent Panel, chaired by Dr Tom Hesketh (Director of the RTU), was established to consider the applications and put advice to the Department on those schools that fully meet the criteria as outlined in the associated guidance. The assessment of the applications was rigorous and a final list of 13 schools, each meeting the criteria, was drawn up and subsequently submitted to the Department for consideration.
In summary, the considerations of the panel centred around 3 key areas and the main questions were:-
- Is the chosen specialism an area of curricular strength?
- Has the school demonstrated that it can use the specialism to drive whole school improvement? and,
- Has the school demonstrated that it can use the specialism to develop links with other schools, FE Colleges and other community and business organisations for the benefit of individuals in the partner organisations?
Those schools that have been unsuccessful in this application round will be offered detailed feedback on their applications.
For further press and media enquiries please contact the Department of Education press office on 02891 279 207.
