St Brigid’s Primary School Bunscoil Naomh Brid

303-2018

The Case For Change

September 2016

Annex C

CASE FOR CHANGE – Supporting Information

SUMMARY / OVERVIEW

EA AREA Education Authority (North Eastern Region)

DP NUMBER 531

PROPOSER CCMS

160 High Street, Holywood, Co Down, BT18 9HT

SCHOOL(S) NAME St Brigid’s PS, Tirkane, Maghera

SCHOOL REFERENCE 303-2018

TYPE Primary

MANAGEMENT Maintained

DP PUBLICATION DATE (Proof of publication should be submitted without delay)

PROPOSAL St Brigid’s Primary School, Tirkane, will increase admission and

enrolment numbers from 29 to 35 and 203 to 245 respectively by

way of an increase to the admissions and enrolment numbers of the

Irish Medium Unit from 16 to 22 and 120 to 154 respectively, with

effect from September 2018, or as soon as possible thereafter.

STATUTORY CONSULTATION

BY THE PROPOSER I confirm that the school’s Board of Governors, Staff and Parents of Pupils were consulted by written consultation as detailed below.

Written consultation held from 10 February 2017-10 March 2017

SIGNED: DATE: 25/05/2017

BY THE EA I confirm that the schools which the EA consider might be impacted by this proposal were consulted on 2 June 2017.

SIGNED: DATE: 29/08/2017

1. Background 1.1 St Brigid’s Primary School is located approximately two miles west of the town of Maghera in the townland of Tirkane. The area of Maghera has a Catholic population of 4980. 1.2 St Brigid’s is currently the only primary school in the Education Authority [EA] North Eastern Region with an Irish Medium Unit [IMU]. The Unit is known as Bunscoil Naomh Brid. The nearest IMU to St Brigid’s is Gaelscoil na Spieri, approximately 10 miles to the south near Draperstown, while Gaelscoil an tSeanchai is 12 miles away in Magherafelt, and Gaelscoil Neachtain is about 13 miles away in Dungiven. 1.3 Map: Location of other IMU in the wider area.

School Name Postcode Distance in miles from St Brigid’s PS

St Brigid’s Primary School, BT46 5NH

Gaelscoil Neachtain, Dungiven BT47 4SE 13

Gaelscoil Na Speirini, Draperstown BT45 7BB 9.9

Gaelscoil an Tseanchai, Magherafelt BT45 6BW 11.6

1.4 St Brigid’s/Bunscoil Naomh Brid operate within a single management structure with one Board of Governors and one Principal. 1.5 The IMU was established at St Brigid’s in 2001, with 45 children transferring from Bunscoil Luraigh. This figure has grown to the present enrolment of 127 with children travelling to the school from Maghera, Granaghan, Lavey, Dunloy, Portglenone and Kilrea.

1.6 Three Catholic maintained primary schools serve the area, namely St Brigid’s Tirkane, St Mary’s Glenview and St Patrick’s Glen: only St Brigid’s has an IMU. 1.7 Significant development has taken place within the Tirkane area in relation to building a strong ethos and tradition of Irish language and culture. The area has become a designated Gaeltacht area. 1.8 St Patrick’s College in Maghera operates an Irish Medium stream. It is not funded by the Department of Education [DE]. 1.9 A new Post-primary IME school Gaelcholáiste Dhoire has been opened in Dungiven in 2016. 2. Broader Context 2.1 Existing IM Provision: Comhairle na Gaelscolaíochta [CnaG] is the representative body for Irish-medium Education. It was set up in 2000 by DE to promote, facilitate and encourage Irish-medium Education. One of CnaG’s central objectives is to seek to extend the availability of Irish-medium Education to parents who wish to avail of it for their children. Currently there are 86 establishments providing Irish-medium education to over 5,000 children at pre-school, primary and post-primary level. The Irish-medium sector has grown steadily with the number of pupils almost doubled in the past 10 years.

2.2 Review of Irish-medium Post-primary Education 2014

In August 2013, Education Minister, John O’Dowd MLA, appointed an Advisory Group, chaired by Helen Ó Murchú, to review Irish-medium post-primary education. The Advisory Group was asked to examine the level of demand for post-primary Irish-medium provision and consider how best this could be met. The work of the Group was to focus on the development of practical and deliverable solutions to increase access to Irish-medium post-primary education. In April 2014, the Advisory Group presented its findings and recommendations to the Minister for Education. The recommendations were accepted by the Minister. 2.3 Key Recommendations: April 2014

2.3.1 The advisory group found there is a demand for Irish-medium post-primary education and while three-quarters of parents who send their children to Irish-medium primary schools would prefer a stand-alone post-primary school, many would be happy with a school that teaches partially through Irish. 2.3.2 The report called for a planned approach to the growth of the sector, including where any new secondary schools should be located.

2.3.3 The Review of Irish Medium Education Report (Chapter 12) outlines in detail the aspiration of parents and the issues facing the development of the IM Post-primary Sector in the current policy context. The challenges are linked to:-

the efficient and effective delivery of the Revised Curriculum and the Entitlement Framework;

the supply of specialist teachers and support services; and

the optimum geographical location of post-primary provision to serve the widening catchment area of the primary schools.

2.4 Strategic Planning

2.4.1 Possible Future Provision in the IME Sector at Post-Primary Level: Location and accessibility. The Group agreed that the optimum location for post-primary provision was to serve the largest number of IM primary schools in the surrounding catchment area. On this basis, the Group then considered areas where a larger number of IM pre-school and viable primary schools exist and transfer rates to post-primary level is adequate or could be higher. The Group began from a series of maps showing the location of existing IM provision at primary and pre-primary levels set within eight IM planning areas (some overlapping) and with an indication of distance to the possible nearest post-primary school. 2.4.2 Planning Area relevant to this Case for Change 2.4.3 Area 4 South Derry/Mid Ulster: The optimum choice of location for IM post-primary provision in the South Derry/Mid Ulster area would be Maghera, with Magherafelt the second choice. It was reported that a site in the South Derry/Mid Ulster area, outside Dungiven, had been identified by the local committee. Independent provision had been requested by the community in South Derry and consideration was given by the Group to a model that could work towards full immersion. It was agreed that South Derry’s stated preference may not be currently feasible. 2.4.4 Owenbeg, Dungiven: On 10 December 2015, Minister O’Dowd approved the establishment of a new Irish Medium Post-Primary College in Dungiven. He also acknowledged that there ‘has been a gap in the strategic development of Irish Medium post-primary provision.’ 2.4.5 Gaelcholaiste Dhoire, Dungiven [224-0319]: This Irish medium, co-educational, non-selective, 11-19 school opened in Dungiven Castle in September 2015. The Y8 intake was 16 on opening and a further 32 Y8 enrolled in September 2016, giving a current total enrolment of 48. According to an Education and Training Inspectorate [ETI] baseline report [November 2016] the pupils came from seven contributory Irish-medium schools or units from rural county Derry, Derry city and Strabane. 2.5 Area Planning: The Advisory Group considered the concept of area planning in relation to IME through the appropriate planning authority. It was advised that the planning area for IME, as with all schools, is whatever it needs to be in order to meet the needs of the young people of the area in question. The Group recommended that the planning authorities be directed to take particular cognisance of IME in any and all current and future local planning and reconfigurations. 2.6 Incentiveness: Experience has shown that the establishment of IM post-primary provision will likely increase demand for places in IM primary schools within an area, as parents and pupils see a seamless and logical progression in the provision. 2.7 It can be seen therefore that the significantly increasing enrolment of Bunscoil Naomh Brid [see Table 5 below] has had two significant and interlinked consequences:

the establishment of post-primary IM provision in the area e.g. Dungiven/Maghera; and

a likely further increase in the enrolment of Bunscoil Naomh Brid.

3. Local Context

3.1 Table 1: Local admissions and enrolments

School Admissions no 16/17

Actual Admissions 16/17

Approved Enrolment no 16/17

Projected Admissions 17/18

Projected Enrolment 17/18

St Brigid’s + IMU

29 38 203 40 224

St Mary’s PS 60 43 446 35 245

St Patrick’s PS 25 26 175 26 187

3.1.1 From Table 1 it can be seen that St Mary’s PS has significant spare capacity with 206 spaces. 3.2 Table 2: Breakdown of English medium [EM] and IM admissions and enrolments at St Brigid’s [as identified in the Admissions to Primary School booklet]*2016/17 –School based data Provision Admissions no Admissions

16/17 App Enrolment no

Actual Enrolment 16/17

Projected Enrolment 17/18

English medium 13 11 83 78 84

Irish medium 16 27 120 125 140

Total 29 38 203 203 224

3.2.1 From Table 2 it can be seen that the admissions and enrolment numbers in the EM school are within set levels, while admissions in the IMU are greater than the set limits. These additional amounts will have been brought about by approved annual temporary variations. 3.3 Table 3: Enrolments for St Brigid’s for 2016/17 in the EM and IM and by year group-school based data.

Year Group EM IM Total

1 11 27 38

2 12 20 32

3 11 20 31

4 14 20 34

5 10 13 23

6 14 14 28

7 6 13 19

Total 78 127 205

3.3.1 Table 4: Projected Enrolments for St Brigid’s for 2017/18 in the EM and IM and by year group-school based data.

Year Group EM IM Total

1 12 28 40

2 11 27 38

3 12 20 32

4 11 20 31

5 14 19 33

6 10 12 22

7 14 14 28

Total 84 140 224

3.3.2 DE has approved eight additional places for 2016/17

3.4 Projected Long-term Enrolment [LTE]

3.4.1 Table 5: Using Table 3 and the DE formula [Y1+Y2+Y3 / 3 x 7] the LTEs for the EM and IM are:

Y1 Y2 Y3 Total /3 x7 LTE

EM 11 12 11 34 79.33 80

IM 27 20 20 67 156.3 156

Total 38 32 31 101 235.66 236

3.4.2 The LTE calculation, at best, provides an indicator of future enrolments and does not take account of future annual variations. 3.4.3 The above LTEs are in line with patterns of historic admissions and enrolments. Table 6, below, shows the growth in the admissions and enrolment in EM and IM at St Brigid’s over the past 10 years. 3.4.4 Table 6: Patterns of Admissions and Enrolments at St Brigid’s

Admissions EM IM Total Enrolment EM IM Total

2007/08 11 17 28 2007/08 58 75 133

2008/09 9 15 24 2008/09 65 80 145

2009/10 10 14 24 2009/10 64 91 155

2010/11 6 12 18 2010/11 59 86 145

2011/12 14 14 28 2011/12 68 95 163

2012/13 7 14 21 2012/13 66 99 165

2013/14 13 21 34 2013/14 71 109 180

2014/15 13 21 34 2014/15 71 115 186

2015/16 12 20 32 2015/16 77 114 191

2016/17 11 27 38 2016/17 79 127 206

3.4.5 Graph 1: Pattern of enrolments over ten year period from 2007/08 to 2016/17

3.5

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

140

2 0 0 7 / 0 8 2 0 0 8 / 0 9 2 0 0 9 / 1 0 2 0 1 0 / 1 1 2 0 1 1 / 1 2 2 0 1 2 / 1 3 2 0 1 3 / 1 4 2 0 1 4 / 1 5 2 0 1 5 / 1 6 2 0 1 6 / 1 7

EM IM

3.5 Conclusions re: admissions and enrolments

3.5.1 English Medium: the admission number [13] and the enrolment number [83] remain appropriate; the LTE of 80 [Table 5] is within this limit. 3.5.2 Irish Medium: the admission number [16] and the enrolment number [120] need to be increased; the LTE of 156 is significantly greater than the 2016/17 enrolment of 114. 3.6 Recommendations re: admissions and enrolment

3.6.1 Admissions number: increase from 29 to 35; 22 of which would be Irish Medium.

3.6.2 Enrolment number: increase from 203 to 245; 154 of which would be Irish medium.

3.6.3 The numbers are apportioned according to need though there should be no increase in the admissions or enrolment number of the English medium school.

4. Catchment Areas and Enrolment Growth

4.1 Current catchment area

4.1.2 The above map shows the wide catchment area of Bunscoil Naomh Brid. For almost all of the children this is the nearest IM provider in the greater Maghera area. 5 children do have a closer IM provider in Gaelscoil Neachtain, Dungiven and Gaelscoil Na Speirini, Draperstown, but personal circumstances makes Bunscoil Naomh Brid their optimum choice. The school applied a strict admissions policy that prioritises pupils from the Maghera area. (Pupils from Gortnahey have moved to the local CCMS school) 4.2 Council Data: St. Brigid’s Primary School is located in the former Magherafelt District Council Area. The Education Authority’s Area Plan for Primary Provision utilises tables derived from a needs model for primary education developed by the Department of Education (DE).

4.3 Table 7: Former Magherafelt District Council Area – Projected Primary Population 2014 -2027: Places in Maintained and Irish Medium Primary Schools

2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026 2027

3438 3505 3518 3565 3572 3571 3547 3534 3521 3534 3517 3510 3499 3483

4.4 Relevant data from the table above indicates that the need for primary school places within the maintained/Irish medium sector across the former Magherafelt District Council Area will rise by a further 67 places from the 2015 year level to the 2018 year level (increase of 1.9%) and then to fall gradually by 89 places (i.e. a decrease of 22 places from the 2015 year level) over the following nine years. By extrapolation, the aggregate enrolments (Years 1-7) in St. Brigid’s Primary School might normally be expected to increase by just a few children from the 2015/16 school year to 2018/19 school year (1.9% increase) and then a subsequent similar fall over the following nine years. Given the current enrolment of c200, the numbers are insignificant. However, the wide catchment area from which the children in the IMU are drawn, and the fact that Gaelscoil Naimh Brid is a minimum of ten miles from a similar provider, may result in an increase in enrolment in the IMU significantly greater than that identified in the Primary Sectoral Needs Model. 4.5 Electoral Wards: The former Magherafelt District Council area covered 16 electoral ward areas. Some difference in trends between wards is to be expected as population size varies from ward to ward and the proportion of the population in each electoral ward that would be considered to belong to the Catholic community also varies from ward to ward. St Brigid’s is located in the Swatragh electoral ward area. The adjacent electoral wards are Maghera, Gulladuff, Upperlands, Lower Glenshane, Upper Glenshane, Garvagh and Kilrea. The two other area primary schools [St. Patrick’s, Glen and St. Mary’s, Glenview] are located in the adjacent Lower Glenshane electoral ward area. 4.6 On the 2011 Population Census Day, 87.78% of the resident population in the Swatragh ward area belonged to or were brought up in the Catholic religion. The corresponding percentages of the resident population in the other wards who specified that they belonged to or were brought up in the Catholic religion were Maghera (78.23%), Gullduff (68.34%), Upperlands (32.59%), Upper Glenshane (86.13%), Lower Glenshane (92.87%), Kilrea (67.11%) and Garvagh (47.30%). 4.7 Live births in Swatragh ward: Table 8 provides details of the annual number of live births in the Swatragh electoral ward area within each academic year from 2004. Included in Table 7 are the estimated annual numbers of live births within the Catholic community in the Swatragh electoral ward area, derived by applying the rate of 87.78% cited in para 4.1.6 for the electoral ward area. The annual average for this period is 40.

4.8 Table 8: Annual Number of Resident Live Births in Swatragh Electoral Ward Area

Academic Year 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014

Resident Live Births

43 34 46 48 57 53 47 43 50 59 55

Estimated Number of Live

Births in Catholic

Community

38 30 40 42 50 47 41 38 44 52 48

4.9 Live births in all relevant wards: Table 9 provides the estimated total number of live births in the Catholic communities in the Swatragh electoral ward area and in its adjacent electoral ward areas. The annual average for this period is 240.

4.9.1 Table 9: Annual Number of Resident Live Births in all relevant electoral ward areas.

Academic Year 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014

Estimated Number of Live

Births in Catholic

Community

194 223 196 259 257 248 262 221 257 261 263

4.10 Looking at data for Swatragh ward only and Swatragh ward with other relevant wards, the numbers of births for 2012 to the 2014 are above the annual averages of 42 and 240 respectively. These are the years of birth for current new-starts and future enrolments across the maintained and IM primary schools in Swatragh ward and the other relevant wards. While it is not possible to accurately apportion admissions and enrolments to individual schools across this geographical area, it is likely that Bunscoil Naomh Brid, as the sole IM provider, will benefit from these increases more than a pro-rata distribution across all the maintained primary schools within the Swatragh ward and the other relevant wards. This is in line with the LTE figure shown in Para 3.4 above. 4.11 Pre-school Provision – EM: Stepping Stones Pre-school Centre is based within the EM element of St Brigid’s. It occupies one of the building’s four classrooms for two hours each day and almost all of the children transfer to Y1 in St Brigid’s; however the school has advised the group that they will be required to seek alternative accommodation. 4.12 Pre-school Provision – IM: almost all of the children attending Naiscoil Charn Tochair [close by] and the majority attending Naiscoil Mhachaire Ratha [in Maghera] transfer to Bunscoil Naomh Brid.

4.13 Table 10 – Pre-school provision attended by Rang 1 [Year 1] at St Brigid’s IMU

Year Total Enrolled

NSCT NSMR SS LR NGnal St C ERC None

2013 21 10 9 1 1

2014 22 9 11 1 1

2015 20 12 7 1

2016 27 15 9 1 1 1

NSCT: Naiscoil Charn Tochair NSMR:Naiscoil Mchachaire Ratha SS: Stepping Stones Pre-school Centre LR: Little Rainbows NGnal: Naiscoil Gleann an Iolainn Glenullin St C: St Columba’s Pre-school Kilrea ERC: Early Years Clady 4.13.1 It can be seen from Table 9 that almost all of the children enrolling in Rang 1 in Bunscoil Naomh Brid transfer from an IM pre-school setting.

4.14 The intake of 27 [24 from IM] for September 2016 is significantly higher than the previous three

year average of 21 and is indicative of the ongoing growth of the IMU. The close presence of two IM pre-

school settings is a significant factor in the growth of Bunscoil Naomh Brid as parents seek continuity and

progression in their children’s education in the Irish language.

5. Sustainable Schools Policy: Schools for the Future: A Policy for Sustainability [SSP] 2009

5.1 This policy, issued by DE, identifies six criteria by which to measure the sustainability of any primary school, namely

quality of the children’s educational experiences;*

stable enrolment trends;

sound financial position;

strong leadership [by the principal and board of governors];

accessibility and

strong links to the community. * the indicators in this criterion include – no more than two composite classes in a single classroom at primary school level, and a minimum of four teachers at a primary school.

5.2 Sustainable Schools Policy and St Brigid’s and Bunscoil Naomh Brid 5.2.1 Table 11: Quality of the children’s educational experiences. In February 2015, the Education and Training Inspectorate [ETI] reported the following overall findings of an inspection of provision in EM and IM.

Overall Performance Good

Achievements and Standards Very Good

Provision Good

Leadership and Management Good

Irish Medium Unit Good

5.2.2 Stable enrolment trends: The data above [Section 3] shows a trend of slight growth in EM and significant growth in IM. 5.2.3 Table 12: Sound financial position. The current three year financial plan shows the following key figures:

Year 1 [2016/17] Year 2 [2017/18] Year 3 [2018/19]

Projected enrolment 207 [October 16] 221 [October 17]

Number of teachers 10 10

Estimated Budget 656810 660274 693083

Planned Expenditure 674754 677540 685381

Carry over -17944 -17265 7701

% carry over -2.73% -2.6% 1.11%

The following points are noted

The annual % carry-over / deficit is within permitted limits.

No figures were provided for enrolment and number of teachers for 2018/19.

There is no breakdown of EM /IM budgets or expenditure.

The projected growth in enrolment to 221 in October 2017 is in line with the LTE projections in Table 4 above. October 2018 should see a further increase.

There is no information on the EM / IM breakdown on projected enrolment. All evidence suggests that growth will be in the IMU, while EM enrolments will remain steady.

5.2.4 Strong leadership [by principal and Board of Governors]: ETI reported that leadership and management is good. In addition, the report comments on the involvement and interest of governors. 5.2.5 Accessibility: The children attending the EM school are drawn from the immediate area subject to the school’s admissions criteria. The children attending the IMU are also admitted in accordance with the same criteria. However, as there is no other IM provision within a ten mile radius of Tirkane, many of the IM children travel further than would normally be expected of primary age pupils. 5.2.6 Strong links to the community: the ETI report commented on the importance of the school’s effective links with the local community. Para 7 of the report states ‘the leadership and management have a well-developed knowledge and understanding of the children’s needs and the school context in the local community’. In addition, and with particular relevance to the IMU, St Brigid’s is located in a Gaeltacht area, within which Bunscoil Naomh Brid is seen a key institution and resource. Furthermore, the presence of two Irish Medium pre-school settings strengthens the cultural and educational imperatives of the community.

6. Staffing Issues 6.1 Table 13: Enrolment. The distribution of children across the school in September 2016

Y1 Y2 Y3 Y4 Y5 Y6 Y7 Total

EM 11 12 12 14 10 14 6 79

IM 27 20 20 20 13 14 13 127

6.2 Table 14: Distribution of children by class groupings in EM

P1/P2 P3/P4 P5/P6/P7

11+12 23

12+14 26

10+14+6 30

6.3 Table 15: Distribution of children by class groupings in IM

R1 R2/R3 R3/R4 R4/R5 R6/R7

27

20+6 26

14+7 21

13+13 26

14+13 27

6.4 Staffing 2016/17: 6.4.1 EM: Three classes, including a three year composite [P5/6/7]. 6.4.2 Five classes. The intention to appoint a sixth teacher in September 2017 to support learning within the immersion programme was not realised. It is proposed to appoint at least one additional teacher for September 2018 to engage in the afore-mentioned support work or as an additional class teacher, subject to the availability of suitable teaching accommodation. 6.4.3 Non-teaching Principal: This brings the overall teaching complement to ten as set out in Table 11 above. 6.4.4 If the admissions criterion increases to 35 this means 9 classrooms will be required. Currently there are 4 Irish Medium classrooms plus 1 small room. A total of 6 classrooms are required within the current IMU area to accommodate the proposed expansion and to meet the commitment to immersion. This would include additional modular accommodation and/or expansion of the smaller classroom base. The site has adequate provision to accommodate additional modular accommodation should it be required. 7. Accommodation 7.1 St Brigid’s has two distinct sections, namely the main building accommodating the EM school and the one [connected by a covered walkway] for the IMU. The main building includes the administrative and principal’s offices, staff room and the shared assembly / canteen. 7.1.1 Teaching Space EM: The main building has four classrooms; three are used as teaching bases for the three classes shown in Table 12 above, while the fourth is used by Stepping Stones Pre-school group which has been notified that it will be required to find alternative accommodation. 7.1.2 Teaching Space IMU: There are five teaching bases for the five classes shown in Table 13 above. Four rooms measure 60m2 and the other is smaller than standard at 40m2. (two of these rooms are in a

double mobile unit) The school is currently considering use of a smaller former staff room within the IMU to accommodate the Y7 class of 14 pupils in September 2017. However this is not sustainable in the long-term given larger enrolment number in Yrs 1-5. 7.2 Accommodation issues 7.2.1 English Medium: The LTE indicates a potential future enrolment of c82 a slight increase from the enrolment of 79 for September 2016. This will have no significant bearing on future class sizes or on how they are organised. 7.2.2 Growth of IMU: The LTE indicates a potential future enrolment of c156, an increase of c30 from the enrolment of 127 for September 2016. On an average class size of 25, such a potential enrolment would require six teachers and six standard teaching bases: at present there are four standard and one non-standard classrooms. The IMU will have six teachers in post in September 2016. As the enrolment moves towards that which is projected there will be need for additional accommodation. 7.2.3 Stepping Stones Pre-school Group: This early years setting occupies one classroom in the main building. It is not considered appropriate that this room should become an IM teaching base as it is remote from the very focused and concentrated Irish language environment of the Bunscoil. 7.3 Minor Works: There are no outstanding Minor Works applications or capital spending plans. The latest application for CCTV, Security, Fencing and a new reception was approved by DE in May 2017 for progression to the pre-tender stage and the Education Authority are preparing detailed designs and specifications for DE consideration. The most recent significant Minor Works include the fitting of Photovoltaic Panels [2014/15],the installation of a double mobile in the IMU [2009/10] and the construction of the covered walkway to the IMU [2009/10] 7.4 Recommendations re Accommodation 7.4.1 Accommodation in the IMU at St Brigid’s PS should be increased from four to six standard teaching bases by 31st August 2018 or as soon as possible thereafter. 8. Educational Impact 8.1 IMU: There will be appropriate provision, in the greater Maghera area, to those families who wish their children to be educated in the medium of Irish. LTE projections show there is an ever increasing desire for IM across the country in general, and in this Gaeltacht area in particular. 8.2 EM: Unchanged. Increased admissions and enrolment numbers will apply to the IMU. The EM school will remain much the same, with three classes catering for an enrolment of approximately 80 children.

9. Area Planning Implications 9.1 IMU: There are no significant implications with regard to area planning as the next nearest IMU to Bunscoil Naomh Brid is approximately ten miles away. There is a wide catchment area with a strong desire to support the Irish language and culture. 9.2 EM: None. The unchanged circumstances at St Brigid’s will not impact on the other two parish schools - St Mary’s, Glenview and St Patrick’s, Glen. 10. Resource Implications Provision of additional accommodation [two teaching bases] at a cost of £225K 11. Overall recommendations [by 31st August 2018 or as soon as possible thereafter] 11.1 Admissions number: increased from 29 to 35; 22 of which would be Irish Medium

11.2 Enrolment number: increased from 203 to 245; 154 of which would be Irish medium.

Note: These increases are necessary to meet the growing demand for places in the IMU. Consequently, numerically, there are will be no increases to the admissions or enrolment numbers in the EM school, which remain at 13 and 83 respectively. For the IMU, the admissions number will increase from 16 to 22 and the enrolment number will increase from 120 to 154. 11.3 Accommodation at St Brigid’s should be increased by two teaching bases to be located in the IMU. Any other consequent Minor Works should be identified and addressed. It is noted, following a visit to the school from an officer from CCMS Buildings Branch, that the provision of a suitable double modular unit is estimated to cost c£225k.

EA Consultation

The Council for Catholic Maintained Schools has undertaken the pre-consultation phase as detailed in the Case for Change.

The Education Authority, before submitting a proposal to the Department, is required to consult the Trustees and managers of any school or schools which would, in the opinion of the Authority, be affected by the proposal. Consultation was carried out between 2 June 2017 and 30 June 2017 and correspondence was forwarded to a total of 15 consultees.

There were two responses to this proposal.

Maghera Primary School

The Board of Governors had no objection to the proposal

Comhairle Na Gaelscolaiochta (CnaG)

The CnaG Development sub-committee considered the proposal and felt that they would not be able to support it in its current form due to the following reasons

CnaG were not consulted on the drafting of the proposal;

The proposal has been developed without properly considering the increasing demand and the full range of solutions including the development of a free standing IM school;

The proposed admissions number of 22 to the IM Unit does not meet the current demand or the potential demand;

CnaG would expect further growth in demand for the sector rather than less as the CFC appears to be projecting;

CnaG is of the view that the provision of a standalone 7 class base school at Tirkane is an objective that should be included;

The proposal presented to parents by CCMS was very narrow in focus and not particularly clear. Issues raised by CnaG and Gaeloideachas Co. Doire were not addressed in the proposal;

CnaG is of the view that the accommodation proposals within the CFC are not the best use of either the teaching or accommodation resources within the school;

CnaG have requested a meeting with CCMS to discuss the proposal and a strategic way forward.

Education Authority Response

In accordance with the Education Orders the Education Authority considered and gives its support to the proposal. The following issues should be taken into consideration. Financial As a result of increased pupil numbers any additional funding would be generated through the Common Funding Formula and as such there would be no specific pressures on Centre Funding.

Legal It is noted there is an increase in pupil intake numbers. There are no claims and legal implications,

unless there is a proposal to increase the size of the school meals accommodation at the school. If this is

necessary there will be legal formalities associated with the existing lease.

Transport This increase in admissions will most likely result in an increase in transport costs for those that travel at approx. £700 per pupil per academic year. This will depend on pupils meeting the qualifying criteria. Transport is currently provided for 62 mainstream pupils and 65 Irish medium unit pupils.

Accommodation It is noted that the Case for Change details a requirement for 2 additional classbases at an estimated cost of £225k. There are no budgetary implications for the EA as the Department of Education fund capital works in non-controlled schools. School Meals Due to the limited number of increase in enrolment, this will have a minimal effective on the School Meals service. A percentage of these additional children may take a School Meal, and the School Meals Kitchen could currently cope with the small additional number of meals. There may be a requirement to purchase an additional table and chairs for the Dining Room.

St BRIGID’S PRIMARY SCHOOL /

BUNSCOIL NAOMH BRID

SCHOOL REF: 303-2018

PROPOSAL: TO INCREASE THE ADMISSIONS NUMBER FROM 29

TO 35 AND THE ENROLMENT NUMBER FROM 203 TO 245

SUMMARY OF CONSULTATION

MARCH 2017

Private & Confidential

20

Summary of the responses to the written consultation held from 10 February 2017-10 March 2017

This summary contains a resume of the keys issues raised through written comments. The following table notes the key

issues and by whom they were raised.

No formal consultation meetings were held. Consultation was by written form only.

A consultation period to allow parents and others to respond to the CCMS recommendation ran from 1st February 2017

to 1st March 2017.

Number of written responses received: 50

Overall Summary of the written responses:

1. 33 out of the 50 respondents [66% or two-thirds] indicated support for the proposal without reservation or qualification. A total of 19 staff members fall within this category.

2. 10 out of the 50 respondents [20% or one-fifth] indicated support for the proposal but raised queries or expressed concern about aspects of the proposal. All were from parents, one of whom is also a member of the Board of Governors.

3. Seven out of the 50 respondents [14% or almost one-seventh] neither supported nor opposed the proposal but raised queries or expressed concerns about aspects of the proposal. All were from parents.

4. Not one respondent opposed the proposal.

The queries and concerns are set out below.

Proposal

To increase the admission and enrolment numbers at St Brigid’s Primary School/Bunscoil Naomh Bríd to 35 and the

enrolment number to 245.

(The increase proposal applies to the IME Unit)

Recommendation

It is recommended that EPC approve the proposal.

It is noted that at the last EPC meeting that some pupils may be passing other IME schools to attend St Brigid’s Primary

School. This has been investigated and CCMS is of the view that the majority of all pupils do not pass other IME primary

schools or attend St Brigid’s when they could attend another IME school.

Private & Confidential

21

Key issues raised by the written responses

Issues Staff Govs Parent Pupil Any action required

The need to employ additional staff in order to have more classes to deal with an increased enrolment.

√

√

If the development proposal is approved additional numbers will result in increased funding and ultimately more staff.

Concern that composite classes will still be the norm, especially if increased enrolment increases the present pupil: teacher ratio.

√

The number of composite classes will reduce as the school will require additional classes in the IME unit. (from 5 to 6)

Inadequate consultation process as there was no opportunity to meet and discuss the proposal.

√

CCMS offered to meet the parents but this offer was not taken up.

Request for a public meeting to discuss issues.

√ This request was made too late to be responded to before the end of the consultation period.

Other Issues

Concerns about the existing inadequate teaching bases, lack of general facilities and inadequate funding, and which will be more so in the future when the enrolment increases.

√ √ If the proposal is accepted CCMS will apply for additional accommodation.

Accommodation is a key issue and the one most commented upon.

√ As above

Need for capital building work rather than installing more mobiles.

√ As above

Present proposal will not allow for sufficient growth, given the great desire for IM provision in the broader area. Admission and enrolment numbers should be greater.

√ The proposal matches the population growth and the recent pattern of enrolment.

Importance of maintaining the English medium element of the school. ‘The desire

√ This is noted by CCMS.

Private & Confidential

22

for English provision should not be overlooked or undermined’.

St Brigid’s should be a free-standing Gaelscoil for full immersion education to meet the demand for IM in this part of South Derry. Present division of EM and IM accommodation unjust.

CCMS and CNaG will discuss this comment going forward.

ALL THE ISSUES IDENTIFIED ABOVE WERE THROUGH WRITTEN RESPONSES

Private & Confidential

25th May 2017 Case for Change St Brigid’s Primary School, Tirkane Page 23