Community National School Planned For Kerry By 2018

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A Community National School is planned for Kerry by 2018.

EDUCATION and Training Boards Ireland is hoping that a Community National School will be established in Kerry by 2018.

Community National Schools (CNS) are state-funded, multidenominational schools which were established in 2008 on a pilot basis. There are now 11 Community National Schools (CNS) in Dublin, Kildare, Wicklow, Meath, and Cork.

“The Minister for Education is in favour of this type of school and hopes to increase the number of multi-denominational schools in Ireland to 400 by 2030,” said Séamus Conboy, Primary Support Officer in Education and Training Boards Ireland, who is building up an awareness campaign about the CNS model. He is hoping each ETB, including Kerry ETB, will open a CNS in a location yet to be decided, by 2018.

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Community National Schools have an open enrolment policies which give equal, non- selective access to children of all backgrounds, abilities, faiths and beliefs.

During the initial pilot phase, the Minister for Education was the patron of these schools, while Education and Training Boards (ETBs) managed them. Patronage  transferred from the Minister to the ETBs from September 1, 2016 (they have been patrons-designate since 2008).

According to information supplied by ETBI: “At the heart of the ethos of Community National Schools is a commitment to excellence in education, inclusion and valuing of every member of the school community. Although parents can be assured that the primary school curriculum is the same in all primary schools, regardless of school type, Community National Schools deliver the curriculum in the most innovative ways, appropriate to preparing children for their future in the 21st Century. Through the use of the most up-to-date teaching methodologies and supports, including a focus on IT as a tool for learning, children are provided with an excellent start to their life-long educational journey.”

“Our schools are committed to a spirit of inclusion and equality, in which each child and member of the school community is valued and treated with respect. We recognise and celebrate the diversity which exists in our communities. Our schools encourage children to have a pride in what makes them different and instill in them a belief that difference, when valued and respected, gives strength and vibrancy to the whole school community. Children are taught these values explicitly throughout the entire curriculum and they are also reflected in all of our schools’ policies and practices. As state-funded, publicly-owned and accountable schools, we see our schools as playing a key role in developing future citizens who are able to contribute positively to society.”