Post-primary schools across Northern Ireland are facing many challenges which school trustees are anxious to address so that appropriate schools are in place to cater for the education of current and future generations.

Overview

Post-primary schools across Northern Ireland are facing many challenges which school trustees are anxious to address so that appropriate schools are in place to cater for the education of current and future generations.

The Lurgan Project is the first project in the Diocese of Dromore. It involves:

• St Mary’s High School
• St Michael’s Grammar School
• St Paul’s Junior High School

Other projects will shortly be agreed in the Diocese and also in the other four Dioceses.

The review process has been agreed by the Northern Ireland Commission for Catholic Education which represents the Senior Trustees of all Catholic-managed schools.

This structure has established a Diocesan Programme Board to oversee the review within all Catholic post-primary schools in the Diocese and a Project Board which will manage the Lurgan Project and make final decisions on outcomes. A similar structure is in place to manage all future projects.

A local User Group representing key education stakeholders also exists to quality assure options as they emerge so that any future option will suit the needs of children in Lurgan.

Challenges

This is a time of significant change in education and the Lurgan Project will be required to ensure that a range of challenging issues are addressed when options for the future are being considered including:-

• Major curriculum changes
• Access to a wider range of subjects
• Delivery of Academic and Vocational options
• Proposed abolition of academic selection at age 11
• Falling population in many areas
• Collaboration with educational partners so as to deliver the widest educational choices

Project Outcome

The Lurgan Project is committed to designing and delivering a non-selective, inclusive system of post-primary education for all pupils in the Lurgan area. It aims to build on the widely recognised strengths of the existing schools which have provided a valued education to Lurgan children for many years.

The final option will need to satisfy a wide range of educational criteria but must be able to play a central role in coordinating and providing an enhanced range of support services for children and their families. There must be opportunities for extended community use of school facilities.

The key principle is that the needs of each individual child are central.

Process

Any options emerging will be subject to the widest possible consultation in the community.

A full time Post-Primary Review Team has been established by the Northern Ireland Commission to support the Review process in general and each Project in particular.

There are no ‘blueprint’ solutions and all options will be developed locally to meet local needs.

A final option will hopefully emerge in early 2007 and the future of this option will be determined as a result of consultation and will be subject to scrutiny by theDepartment of Education.

Lurgan Project and the Costello Report

The Project will reflect the Principles articulated in the Costello Review of Post Primary education:-

* Equality of all young people

* Quality of teaching and learning

* Relevance to society and the economy

* Access for all

* Choice and informed decisions for parents and young people

* Respect, tolerance and reconciliation based on respect for diversity

* Partnership between the school and wider community