Stranmillis College study says churches must meet community and family needs
The role of churches in helping to tackle under-achievement in school children and levels of deprivation in disadvantaged communities in Northern Ireland is the subject of a new study published by Stranmillis College, Belfast, entitled ‘Community Service: church-school collaborations addressing educational under-achievement and social disadvantage’.
The study, led by Dr Anita Gracie on behalf of the Centre for Research into Educational Underachievement (CREU), examines the relationship between church and the State school.
It finds strong evidence for the positive impact of church-school collaboration and support. The work was funded by the Transferor Representatives’ Council (TRC) made up of the Church of Ireland, Presbyterian Church. and Methodist Church.
Dr Gracie said: “Educational under-achievement is holding back children from realising their potential. It is not right that they should be left behind. Drastically reduced school budgets, increasing levels of SEN and the continuing effects of the recent Covid-19 pandemic on pupils’ well-being and mental health can see school resources stretched too thinly. This study offers some grounds for hope. It finds the role of churches is constantly evolving to respond to community and family needs.”
The study shows that many churches are proactive in supporting their local school. Interventions include reading support, after-school clubs, resources, and breakfast clubs.
Churches use their resources of willing volunteers and funding to support their local schools in whatever ways required. This is a significant level of support given the current funding crisis. The study recommends churches work with their local school by initially asking; ‘What can we do?' How can we help?’
The team responsible for the study also created a toolkit highlighting examples of good practice to support clergy, and this will be distributed to all churches in the near future. Full details can be found at https://www.stran.ac.uk/research-paper/gracie-et-al-2026/
Dr Gracie added: “Churches have a significant and positive impact where there is greatest need. We can do some of the heavy lifting to help improve the life chances of children and help to take them out of the cycle of under- achievement.
“This study shows the practical measures that will continue to make a difference to both children and their schools. We know the effort made by local clergy is appreciated by school principals and teachers and that work will continue.
“We have seen that where churches offer help and resources to schools in a spirit of community service, the resulting partnership can provide support for all members of the school community and improve the academic outcomes and aspirations for pupils living in challenging socio-economic".