CONTENTS Contents

Vision and Mission 2

Introduction 3

Facts & Figures & History 4

Overview 5

1. National Centre 6

2. Increasing the number of places - opening more schools 7

3. Educate Together Foundation 8

4. Website and Newsletter 9 1 5. Management Training and Support 10

6. Educational Development - Implementing the Ethos 11

7. Research 12

8. Public Relations 13

9. Educational Policy 14

10. Regional Structures 15

Appendix A: Educate Together Schools 2000/2001 16

Appendix B: Educate Together Charter 18

Acknowledgments 19 VISION & MISSION

Vision and Mission

Vision Statement

"Learn Together to Live Together"

2 Mission Statement

To promote a philosophy of education in which no child is considered an outsider; which promotes the fullest development of ability irrespective of gender, class or stereotype; and which encapsulates this ethos in a democratic partnership uniquely combining the involvement of parents with the professional role of teachers. INTRODUCTION Introduction

Educate Together is the representative Whilst the concepts of child-centredness and organisation of the Educate Together schools and co-educationalism are now widely accepted in associations throughout the Republic of Ireland. It Irish primary education, what distinguishes the owes its origins in the movement to establish new Educate Together schools is their hard work in multi-denominational primary schools which developing a culturally inclusive and democratic emerged in the late 1970s and early 1980s. By ethos. This has pioneered unique approaches to 1984, when Educate Together was established, inclusion of minority opinions and faiths in the there were three schools and the organisation Irish context. The schools have developed acted as their co-ordinating body. Since then the education programmes which open the eyes of movement has grown considerably. Today there children to the naturally positive contribution that are 19 schools, 12 of which are in the greater social diversity and difference of viewpoint and Dublin area. The organisation became a company opinion make to society. The other characteristic limited by guarantee in 1998 and has charitable feature of these schools is that they are status. It has a small national office staffed on a democratically organised and governed. This part-time basis. All directors and committee maximises the potential for building a genuine members work in a voluntary capacity. partnership between the professional, objective role of the teacher and the necessarily personal Educate Together aims to meet a growing need in involvement of the parent in contributing to their Irish society for schools that recognise the children's education. developing diversity of Irish life and the modern In the year 2000, Educate Together is facing need for democratic management structures. In 3 particular, Educate Together guarantees children unprecedented demand for places in its schools, and parents of all faiths and none equal respect for increased services to schools and is under in the operation and governing of education. pressure to open new schools in new areas. It is also being urged to promote its philosophy in the The schools operated by the member associations wider context of secondary education and pre- of Educate Together are fully recognised by the school provision. This growing demand can be Irish Department of Education and Science and attributed to objective factors in modern Irish life, work under the same regulations and funding namely the rapid diversification of society, structures as other national schools. However, economic growth, increasing population, they have a distinct ethos or governing spirit. This globalisation of the economy and improved has been defined in the following terms: communications. It is also attributed to the

• "Multi-denominational i.e. all children having increasing demand of Irish parents to participate equal rights of access to the school, and as partners in the educational process and a wish children of all social, cultural and religious that their children should grow up at ease with backgrounds being equally respected, social, religious and cultural difference.

• Co-educational and committed to This statement of strategy is being presented with encouraging all children to explore their full the objective of radically increasing the number of range of abilities and opportunities, schools run under the Educate Together ethos and

• Child centred in their approach to education to substantially improve the service that the national organisation can provide for its members. • Democratically run with active participation We hope that people will see the planned by parents in the daily life of the school, development of a national network of Educate whilst positively affirming the professional Together schools as a positive contribution to role of the teachers." society, enriching the educational landscape and (Educate Together Charter - see Appendix B) building a significant asset for the future. FACTS, FIGURES & HISTORY

Facts,Figures & History

Educate Together started as an organisation in Educate Together started as co-ordinating 4 1984, when the first three schools decided to set organisation in which decisions were arrived at by up a co-ordinating committee that would consensus. During the 1980s it adopted a disseminate information among the existing constitution with majority voting. It represented schools and assist in the growth and development the sector on national educational bodies and by of new schools. The three schools were located in 1990 had become the recognised voice of multi- Dalkey, Bray and Glasnevin, all in the greater denominational education in Ireland. The Educate Dublin area. Together Charter (see Appendix B) was formally adopted in 1990. At the time almost all national schools in the country were under denominational patronage. In 1994, Educate Together received limited School sites were provided by the patron, i.e. the private funding to rent, equip and staff an office diocese. Lay chairpersons of Boards of for a three year period. The office opened in Management were rare. Parental involvement in January 1995, with one part-time co-ordinator. running national schools was minimal. In 1998, Educate Together became a company limited by guarantee. In the year 2000 Educate In the ensuing years, Educate Together opened Together was granted permanent core funding of schools in Sligo, Cork and Kilkenny (1987), £27,500 ( 34918) per annum by the Limerick (1989), Kilbarrack, Ranelagh and Department of Education and Science. Crumlin1 (1990), Cork - a Gaelscoil - (1993), Galway, Celbridge and Inchicore2 (1994), Monkstown and Lucan (1997), Ennis (1998), Castleknock3 (1999) and Phibsborough (2000).

There are currently over 3,500 pupils enrolled and over 200 teachers and staff employed in the Educate Together sector. 1 Now in Rathfarnham 2 Now in Griffith Barracks, South Ciruclur Road 3 Temporarily relocated to the Navan Road, Dublin OVERVIEW

Overview

The core strategic concept of this document is this distinct educational philosophy offers in the that by strengthening the national centre we can education of future generations of Irish children. 5 radically improve the experience of education for children in our existing schools and rapidly This statement of strategy has the following increase the number of schools and places in the specific targets: sector. • To open a National Centre • To address the increasing demand for places This concept is based on the analysis that there is and employ a full time development officer already a wealth of experience within the Educate Together community. The sector has accumulated • To establish a national fundraising body 176 years experience of operating democratically • To develop a regular national newsletter and managed, multi-cultural schools. By establishing a a professional website national centre with the necessary education and • To provide a comprehensive management research facilities, this experience can be and patronage training scheme. concentrated and presented back to the sector as • To employ a full-time education officer to guidelines, resources and examples of best enhance the delivery of ethical education practice. The resources identified by the review programmes process involved in this statement of strategy • To develop a programme of research include: culture and ethos, management practice, legal affairs, education resources and teaching • To enhance the national profile of the methods. Enhancing the centre's ability to present organisation this experience will make it readily available to • To establish regional structures to support groups setting up new schools and to the wider clusters of schools educational community at home and abroad. A • To increase state support for Educate strong and adequately resourced national centre Together will also address the objective reality that many people in Ireland are unaware of Educate The following pages elaborate these objectives in Together's existence and the opportunities that more detail. NATIONAL CENTRE

National Centre

Recognising The members of Educate Together • that Educate Together requires a full-time commit themselves to national centre in order to provide a • support the development of the national 6 focus for all the activities detailed in centre in practical terms by this document - participating in research • that Educate Together's current office space - providing regular reports cannot be developed to fulfil this role - contributing to the educational Educate Together will seek to resource library • obtain suitable premises in Dublin, which is open to members at evenings and weekends. This centre will be of a sufficient size to accommodate:

- a permanent office

- secretarial support

- meeting rooms

- seminar space for training programmes

- a resource and research library INCREASING PLACES Increasing the number of places - opening more schools

Many of our schools have long waiting lists because of the huge demand for the unique type of education that Educate Together schools offer. negotiations on sites, accommodation We are prepared to meet this demand and legal structures

Recognising • offer increased support at national level for planned or fledgling schools through • that there is an irreversible trend towards diversity and choice in Irish society - acting as patron body for schools who require this • that parents have a fundamental right to choose Educate Together education for their - developing mechanisms for sharing 'best children practice' across the sector

• that each year demand for places far - providing legal support exceeds supply - clarifying ethos issues • that increasing numbers of parents in Irish • develop definitive guidelines and criteria for society are identifying profound educational membership of Educate Together 7 advantages in inclusive and democratically managed schools • put forward and implement plans to achieve secondary and pre-school institutions • that Educate Together's distinct philosophy operating according to Educate Together's has applications at all levels in education principles (pre-school, primary, secondary, tertiary and adult) The members of Educate Together commit themselves to Educate Together will seek to • That in any school where a substantial body • take steps to expand the sector to meet the of children are refused entry, the patron demand for places. Expansion will be in body of that school will bring forward plans terms of the number of schools, the number to either increase the number of places of places and geographical spread within the school or to actively plan to open • obtain funding for a full-time Development new schools in the relevant locality Officer to: • cooperate with the National Executive and - research and draw up a development the Department of Education and Science in plan in line with Department of drawing up regional and national expansion Education and Science projections for plans for the sector demand for primary schooling • publicly promote the distinct educational - initiate, direct and support local philosophy of Educate Together in their initiatives to establish schools including localities by sponsoring public debate on public meetings and ongoing support educational issues for developing schools • campaign against any discriminatory - manage the ongoing support of administrative practice that hinders the developing schools, in particular in opening of new Educate Together schools FOUNDATION Educate Together Foundation

Recognising • that there is a requirement for long-term independent funding in order to promote the Educate Together alternative in education

• that many institutions and individuals would be willing to support a legally established national Educate Together foundation

Educate Together will seek to • establish a formal charitable fund, under The members of Educate Together strict legal and financial guidelines. commit themselves to • participate in the development of this fund • promote this fund widely within Ireland and by: abroad - organising promotional activities in their • establish grants for areas - research - submitting proposals for its - assistance for start up association development based on their fundraising 8 - development projects within the sector expertise WEBSITE & NEWSLETTER

Website and Newsletter

Recognising Educate Together will seek to • that there is an urgent need to develop a • finance and recruit a web and newsletter newsletter within the sector to generalise team experience 9 • update the web-site and publish the email • that this newsletter can most easily and newsletter on a regular basis economically be developed in an electronic form in the first instance, with a less The members of Educate Together frequent conventional newspaper commit themselves to • that a central strategy in disseminating the • support the Educate Together newsletter and national educational and research resources website by submitting regular reports on envisaged in this plan is to deploy them their activities through a professionally designed website or portal

• that such a website and newsletter will be a means to make information about Educate Together and its schools available to the general public TRAINING & SUPPORT Management Training and Support

Recognising • that the positive participation of children, teachers, parents and supporters is central to the success of an Educate Together school

• that for this to succeed school structures must be carefully built and maintained

• that an extensive body of knowledge, expertise and experience in these areas has been built up by the sector

Educate Together will seek to • provide management training courses for those involved in organisational structures within schools to include • to develop the following services - function and purpose - legal services 10 - legal and organisational background - mediation and facilitation - communication skills - distribution of school information - ethos and positive approaches to - handbooks and relevant documentation difference The members of Educate Together commit themselves to • organise at least one training session in their schools or regions in the course of each academic year

• submit written feedback to the Management Training group of the National Executive

• encourage experienced personnel to participate in this programme as trainers EDUCATIONAL DEVELOPMENT Educational Development – Implementing the Ethos

Recognising • that Educate Together has a wealth of experience in multi-cultural, multi-ethical and inclusive teaching

• that this is a major asset of the sector which needs to be developed

• that there is a need to consolidate this experience to promote best practice

• that this resource should be made available to our partners in education

• that teachers in the Educate Together sector The members of Educate Together have specific training requirements commit themselves to • actively support the work of the Education Educate Together will seek to Officer by submitting proposals for the 11 • obtain funding for a full-time Education content of Officer - the resource library • build and maintain an educational resource - the teacher training module library - the in-service courses • develop an Educate Together module for use in teacher training • facilitate the holding of regional and local meetings on educational issues. • develop and implement in-service teacher training • allow their experience of ethically inclusive and multi-cultural education to be made • establish and maintain contacts with key available to other schools and educational personnel in Colleges of Education bodies • facilitate a national and regional network for teachers within the sector

• develop and maintain links with Education Centres throughout the country

• hold a consultative conference on the Educate Together ethical education programmes RESEARCH

Research

Recognising • that there is an existing body of national and international research and information on areas of interest to the sector 12 • that access to this research and information will help Educate Together offer creative and innovative solutions to current educational concerns

• that Educate Together needs research on specific areas in order to develop its policy

Educate Together will seek to • obtain funding for a full-time Researcher

• identify areas of immediate research

• identify people researching areas of interest to Educate Together

• set up a resource library accessible to all members

• commission and seek sponsorship for a nation-wide survey of parental awareness of choice in education

The members of Educate Together commit themselves to • co-operate in an appropriate way with the research programmes sanctioned by the National Executive PUBLIC RELATIONS

Public Relations

Recognising • that there is little awareness amongst parents of the availability and validity of Educate Together education

• that Educate Together is the voice of The members of Educate Together 13 inclusive education in Ireland commit themselves to • that there is a need to make Educate • incorporate the visual identity of Educate Together's distinct educational philosophy Together in their signage and literature known in a wider context • co-ordinate their contacts with the media Educate Together will seek to through the national office • design and implement a corporate identity • participate in national media campaigns where appropriate • co-ordinate all PR activities through the national office

• ensure that Educate Together's voice is heard in all relevant media debates

• establish and maintain regular contact with education correspondents

• prepare Press Releases for events that will require a response from EDUCATE TOGETHER

• respond promptly to relevant educational media coverage

• identify people within the organisation who will represent the sector through Irish language EDUCATIONAL POLICY Educational Policy

Recognising • the contribution of Educate Together's distinct philosophy to the development of national education policies

• the necessity of the organisation to continue to represent its views on emerging policies

• the necessity for adequate state funding of Educate Together

Educate Together will seek to • ensure that Educate Together is represented on all relevant policy committees

• establish and maintain regular contact with the Minister for Education and Science and with party spokespeople on education The members of Educate Together

• work jointly with other Partners in Education commit themselves to on issues of mutual concern • participate in any lobbying campaigns organised by the national Executive • prepare regular briefing documents for use 14 by schools in lobbying politicians • make submissions on Educational Policy to the National Executive • draw up a schedule for budget submissions and applications for funding • promote discussion in their localities or regions on Educational Policy • establish and maintain contact with key contributors to educational debate • feature EDUCATE TOGETHER policy issues in school newsletters REGIONAL STRUCTURES

Regional Structures

Recognising EDUCATE TOGETHER will seek to 15 • that the geographical spread of Educate • consult with member schools and bring Together schools makes it practical to forward proposals for the establishment of establish regional structures regional structures.

• that such structures will greatly benefit The members of Educate Together individual schools commit themselves to • that certain local and national functions may • establish productive and meaningful regional be more efficiently and effectively performed structures in a regional context APPENDIX A

Appendix A Griffith Barracks National School South Circular Road Educate Together Dublin 8 Principal: Sinead O’Kane Schools 2000/2001 Opened: 1994 Clare Telephone: (01) 454 7278 Ennis Educate Together National School Lucan Educate Together N.S. Gort Road, Ennis Bewley Way, Willsbrook County Clare Lucan, County Dublin Principal: Sean O’Confhaola Principal: Tom Conaty Opened: 1998 Opened: 1997 Telephone: (065) 6820070 Telephone: (01) 628 1298 Cork Monkstown Educate Together N.S. Cork School Project Monkstown Grove Grattan Street Dun Laoghaire Cork County Dublin Principal: Gerard Ryan Principal: Mary Stuart Opened: 1987 Opened: 1997 Telephone: (021) 427 5640 Telephone: (01) 2303696 Gaelscoil an Ghoirt Álainn Aibhuine Murmount, North Bay National School Project Greendale Avenue 16 Gort Álainn, Corcaigh Dublin 5 Priomhoide: Réamann Ó Riann Principal: Frieda McGovern Ar oscailt: 1993 Opened: 1990 Telephone: (021) 455 1955 Telephone: (01) 832 5536

Dublin North Dublin National School Project Castleknock Educate Together National School Church Avenue Navan Road Dublin 9 Dublin 7 Principal: Sally Sheils Principal: Dermot Higgins Opened: 1984 Opened: 1999 Telephone: (01) 837 1620 Telephone: (01) 868 9587 Ranelagh Multi-denominational School Dalkey School Project National School Ranelagh Glenageary Lodge Dublin 6 Glenageary Principal: Joan Whelan County Dublin Opened: 1989 Principal: Christine Lennon Telephone: (01) 496 1722 Opened: 1977 Telephone: (01) 285 7199 Rathfarnham Educate Together National School

Dublin 7 Educate Together National School Loreto Avenue 11 Henrietta Street Rathfarnham Dublin 1. Dublin 14 Principal: Áine Sotscheck Principal: Paddie Murphy Opened: 2000 Opened: 1990 Telephone: (01) 8897574 Telephone: (01) 493 8677 APPENDIX A

Galway Sligo

Galway School Project Sligo School Project Corrib Village Abbey Quarter Newcastle Road Sligo Galway Principal: Mary Cawley Principal: Evelyn O’Brien Opened: 1987 Opened: 1994 Telephone: (071) 43073 Telephone: (091) 527887 Wicklow Kildare Bray School Project North Kildare National School Project Ballywaltrim, Bray Clane Road, Balymakealy County Wicklow County Kildare Principal: Kieran Griffin Principal: Rita Galvin Opened: 1981 Opened: 1994 Telephone: (01) 286 4242 Telephone: (01) 627 4388

Kilkenny

Kilkenny School Project Springfield Waterford Road Kilkenny Principal: Mary Nicholson 17 Opened: 1987 Telephone (056) 51407

Limerick

Limerick School Project O’Connell Avenue Limerick Principal: Eileen Kennelly Opened: 1989 Greater Telephone: (061) 412994 Dublin Area(12) APPENDIX B

Appendix B Educate Together Charter

Recalling Article 26.3 of the Universal 2.3 Multi-denominational schools have the right Declaration of Human rights: to be treated no less favourably than other schools within the Irish educational system, "Parents have a prior right to choose the kind of in accordance with their needs and their education that shall be given to their children" identity,

and Article 42.4 of the Constitution of Ireland: 2.4 The state has a duty to take identity of the multi-denominational sector fully into "The state shall provide for free primary account when deciding on policy that affects education and shall endeavour to supplement and the establishment and development of give reasonable aid to private and corporate schools, education initiative, and, when the public good requires it, provide other educational facilities or and Commits itself to: institutions with due regard, however, for the 3.1 Support the establishment of schools which rights of parents, especially in the matter of are, religious and moral formation", • Multi-denominational i.e. all children having equal rights of access to the school, and Recognising: and children of all social, cultural and 18 religious backgrounds being equally 1.1. That many parents have a valid preference respected, for schools in which boys and girls of all • Co-educational and committed to social, cultural and religious backgrounds can encouraging all children to explore their full be educated together in an atmosphere of range of abilities and opportunities, mutual understanding and respect, • Child centred in their approach to 1.2 That the multi-denominational schools education established under the banner of EDUCATE • Democratically run with active TOGETHER are a distinctive response to the participation by parents in the daily life of growing demand for such an option within the school, whilst positively affirming the the Irish educational system, professional role of the teachers in area where the demand for such a school Educate Together affirms that: exists, 3.2 Promote fuller awareness and recognition of 2.1 Children of all social, cultural and religious the identity of the multi-denominational backgrounds have a right to an education sector at all levels in Irish society and abroad, that respects their individual identity whilst exploring the different values and traditions 3.3 Participate in appropriate structures and of the world in which they live, activities concerned with the future development of education in Ireland and 2.2 Parents are entitled to participate actively in abroad, decisions that affect the education of their children. In particular, they have the right to 3.4 Promote a future where multi-denominational decide what kind of school reflects their education will be as freely available to conscience and lawful preference, parents as any other educational option they may choose. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Acknowledgments

We would like to thank the following for their help in preparing this document.

For the photographs: All the member schools of Educate Together who submitted all the photographs used in this document.

For their views and advice All those members and supporters of Educate Together who submitted views and participated in the meetings to discuss the concepts of the document. All those who participated in the consultative stage of the process. In particular, John Dennehy, Deirdre O'Keeffe, Paul Kennedy, Liam Hughes and Frank Wyse, of the Department of Education and Science, Frank Murray and Denise Byrne of the Commission on School Accommodation, Sister Eileen Randles of the Catholic Primary School 19 Managers' Association, Canon John McCullagh of the Church of Ireland Board of Education, John Carr, Catherine Byrne, Anne McElduff and Billy Sheehan of the Irish National Teachers' Organisation, Jacqueline Ní Fhearghusa of Gaelscoileanna, and Fionnuala Kilfeather of the National Parents' Council (Primary)

The drafting group David Denny, Paddie Murphy, Deirdre O'Donoghue, Paul Rowe and Ria Ziere.

Our consultant Emer Dolphin

For the original inspiration and drive to start the process Jill Steer.

For the design, artwork and front cover photo of the Dalkey School Project National School Community's Millenium Wall Hanging David McKane, DVD (01) 610 5943 (Lucan Educate Together School)

For the printing PlayPrint Limited, (01) 8300433