Body advocating for government-run mainstream schools to be set up, matching those for Catholic and Integrated sectors

For years, many educationalists in Northern Ireland have felt the government-controlled school sector has been on the back foot, as it doesn’t have an umbrella organisation fighting for its interests and providing leadership as other sectors do.

That’s now to change following a public consultation, in which 91% agreed that support for controlled schools must improve and 84% backed the creation of a dedicated organisation.

Education Minster Paul Givan is now to bring a formal proposal on setting the body up to the Northern Ireland Executive for a final decision, arguing the consultation results “provide a powerful mandate for change”.

“School leaders have spoken with a clear and united voice,” he said. “Controlled schools, which educate half of our pupils, have long lacked the parity, advocacy and tailored support they need.

“I want to thank all of the school leaders and stakeholders who engaged with the consultation and have helped to shape the way forward.”

The minister said he hopes to get the new body set up later this year, stating: “I will move immediately to bring these proposals back to the Executive and press for their inclusion in the legislative programme.

"We must act decisively to deliver the dedicated support that controlled schools both need and deserve.”

A statement from the Department for Education said the new organisation’s remit will “mirror that of the Council for Catholic Maintained Schools (CCMS) ensuring equity across all school sectors”.

According to the statement, the CCMS backed the controlled sector move when answering the consultation, noting that establishing a dedicated organisation for controlled schools “would bring the sector into line with the statutory arrangements that have long benefitted the Catholic maintained sector, strengthening equity and balance across the education system. It would also provide the strategic leadership, clarity of purpose and sectoral accountability needed to improve outcomes for children and young people”.

The new organisation will become the managing authority for controlled schools, delivering sector-specific leadership, school improvement and governance support, the department said.

Recognising that legislation will take time, the minister confirmed that a Controlled Schools Unit within the Education Authority is already being established to deliver immediate improvements in support.