HISTORICALLY, church authorities -- mainly Catholic and Church of Ireland -- acted as patrons or sponsors of primary schools by initiating the process of establishing a new school. In more recent times, other patron bodies -- such as Educate Together, in respect of the multi-denominational sector, and An Foras Patrunachta, in respect of the Gaelscoileanna -- have been recognised as the patron bodies for new schools.
The patron has ultimate responsibility for the school ethos, the appointment of the board of management, financial and legal matters and the supervision of staff appointments in accordance with department regulations.
Patrons generally discharge their responsibilities in close consultation with boards of management and other interested parties involved in the schools.
Boards of management of primary schools are made up of eight members (one-teacher schools have four members). These are:
- Two nominees of the patron.
- One principal teacher (ex-officio member).
- One other teacher serving in the school (elected by serving teachers in the school).
- Two representatives of parents of pupils attending the school.
- Two community representatives.
The current composition of patrons and patron bodies of the primary schools is as follows: Roman Catholic 3,000, Protestant 198, Educate Together (multi-denominational) 56, Inter-denominational 5, Muslim 2, Jewish 1.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Disclaimer
No responsibility or liability shall attach itself to us or to the blogspot ‘Clerical Whispers’ for any or all of the articles placed here.
The placing of an article hereupon does not necessarily imply that we agree or accept the contents of the article as being necessarily factual in theology, dogma or otherwise.
SIC: II