A New Vision of Education for All the Children of Ireland

A new vision of education for all the children of Ireland

Incorporation of St Patrick’s College Drumcondra, Mater Dei Institute of Education & Church of Ireland College of Education into Dublin City University The planned new Institute of Education at DCU

A. The Institute of Education

1. Overarching strategy The Incorporation will create an internationally-significant Institute The planned coming together of St of Education, which will also conduct Patrick’s College, Drumcondra (SPD), pioneering research in priority areas for Mater Dei Institute of Education 21st Century education, including, for (MDI) and Church of Ireland College example, STEM (Science, Technology, of Education (CICE) with Dublin City Engineering and Mathematics) University (DCU) will herald a new education, special-needs and inclusive era for education in Ireland. This education, literacy and numeracy, development will create the largest arts education, further education, critical mass of education expertise assessment, digital learning, as well as on this island, and will provide both ethical and values-based education. Initial Teacher Education (ITE) and The Institute will become the fifth Continuous Professional Development faculty of DCU. It will engage with (CPD) for teachers and educators across schools and educational communities the full education continuum, from across Ireland and beyond, and it will be Early Childhood through Primary and an authoritative source of influence on Secondary to Third and Fourth Level. policy development.

1 DCU is, and will continue to be, a non- The following principles will underpin denominational, secular university with the governance and operational a strong commitment to pluralism, structure of the new Institute of social inclusion and diversity at its Education: core. The new Institute of Education will provide a place of mutual respect • the Institute shall constitute a for the formation of teachers for ﬁfth faculty of DCU (the existing denominational (Roman Catholic; four being DCU Business School, Church of Ireland/Reformed Christian the Faculty of Science & Health, traditions), non-denominational and the Faculty of Engineering & multi-denominational schools. In this Computing, and the Faculty of way, the establishment of the Institute Humanities & Social Sciences). will enable the education of excellent • consistent with DCU’s governance teachers for all dimensions of a 21st structure, the Institute of Education century pluralist society. will be led by an Executive Dean 2. Structure of the Institute of who will be an ex-ofﬁcio member of Education DCU’s Executive Committee

While the ethos and identity of • in order to ensure that the each of the three incorporating distinctive identity and values institutions will be respected and of teacher education in both safeguarded within the ‘new DCU’, the Roman Catholic and Church these three institutions will cease of Ireland/Reformed Christian to exist as autonomous, separate traditions are maintained on an legal entities post incorporation. ongoing basis, two Centres for Similarly, while remaining a secular Denominational Education shall be university, the proﬁle of DCU will be established within the Institute (a changed signiﬁcantly as a result of the Centre for Catholic Education and a incorporation process. Church of Ireland Centre). 1

2 1 The staffs of each incorporating institution will become staff of the University in all respects. B. Centres for Denominational Education within the Institute of Education 1. Vision This, in turn, will profoundly support the development of children in schools Within the Institute of Education, across the country. institutional identities will be drawn together to facilitate and enhance While maintaining its secular the capacity of each to collaborate context, the university will facilitate effectively in the delivery of teacher and support the co-existence of education of the highest quality. The different faith-based traditions, multi-disciplinary opportunities of working collaboratively, generously the university will be available to all, and respectfully. Towards this end, while the richness and diversity of two Denominational Centres will be individual traditions will be sustained. established within the new Institute This new collaborative framework will of Education at DCU in order to ensure provide an enriched understanding and that the distinctive identity, values experience for students and staff alike. and learning of Roman Catholic and It will see the formation of the teachers Church of Ireland/Reformed Christian of tomorrow in a pluralist, respectful, traditions are maintained and developmental academic environment. promoted in teacher education.

3 In other parts of Europe for many Each of the incorporating institutions centuries, universities have enabled will bring a recognised heritage and different traditions within Christianity a distinctive engagement in teacher to teach and learn collaboratively education to the university. The side-by-side. For the first time in synergies from this are immense, as an Irish context, DCU will provide are the opportunities for enhanced such a framework to bring together education and a wider contribution institutions representing the Roman to Irish society. Far from their being Catholic tradition and the Reformed lost in the incorporation, it is our Christian traditions. This provides an shared vision that the heritage of opportunity for all involved to celebrate each institution will be deepened and the different strands in Irish society strengthened through the shared space (history, traditions, identities, beliefs and the unique wealth of talents and and values) in a critically-reflective, experience within the university. academic space. These strands will meet as distinct equals. Such a The core curriculum for teacher development responds to the emerging preparation will be denominationally needs of a pluralist Ireland. But, neutral and common to all but will, significantly, it further contributes to as required, allow for the delivery the establishment of peace across the of modules to prepare teachers island, built upon the values of mutual appropriately for employment in respect and inclusiveness. denominational schools.

4 The established relationships with The purpose of such an Advisory schools, including denominational Council will be to provide guidance schools, will be maintained and on upholding the distinctive ethos, enhanced in the new Institute of values and traditions of each particular Education. The Denominational denomination within the Centre and Centres within the Institute the schools which it serves: of Education will have speciﬁc responsibility for delivering their • through advice to the director of the respective denominational modules Centre on curricular content relating as well as engaging closely with their to specialist areas of programmes respective schools. within the Centre’s remit,

Particular features pertaining to these • commentary on related Centres, within the framework of a denominational issues/outcomes, secular university, follow. and

• advice to the director on follow-up 2. Governance Framework actions as appropriate.

There will be representation of each The director of each Centre will of the three incorporating Institutions therefore be in dialogue with their on the Governing Authority of DCU. respective Advisory Council on matters At faculty management level, the relating to denominational interests respective directors of the two Centres and educational needs. There will be will be members of the Institute of direct input by the relevant church Education Management Committee, authorities to the appointment of chaired by the Executive Dean. Each the director of each Centre, while a Centre will therefore be fully part of nominee of the relevant Advisory the structure, stafﬁng and governance Council will participate in the selection of the university and each director process of other staff of their therefore accountable within the respective Centres. management system of the university.

Recognising the importance of respecting and supporting the distinctive ethos and traditions of the broad religious traditions involved, it is proposed that each Centre be appropriately supported by an Advisory Council, appointed by the relevant Archbishop/Church authorities.

5 3. Functions Notwithstanding the foregoing, the greater part of the subject material to A number of defined functions would be taught on initial teacher education be reserved to each Centre to preserve programmes shall be provided in and promote its distinctive values, common to all students in the wider beliefs and traditions. It is anticipated setting of the Institute of Education that these would focus on areas such and the Faculty of Humanities and as: Social Sciences. In this way, the • Maintaining and promoting their synergies, research, innovation and distinctive engagement with the richness of the university can be best relevant denominational schools accessed by all participants. and faith communities of which they form part; 4. Staffing • Specialist areas of Initial Teacher The core staffing of each of these Education which require distinctive Centres shall be small in number, denominational features/focus; reflecting the specialized functions involved and the integrated role of the • Teaching of Religions, Ethics, Centres in the broader Institute. Their Morals and Values specific to appointment shall be subject to the denominational preparation; arrangements set out above.

• Certain denominational More detailed descriptions of the two qualiﬁcations/certiﬁcation Denominational Centres are provided programmes; in Appendix 1 and Appendix 2 below.

• Denominational school placements and assessments, as well as related studies, and specialist research, tutorials and supervision to support school placements and links;

• Quality assurance in relation to Inclusive Education and Small Schools;

6 Appendix 1 Church of Ireland Centre (CIC)

1. Governance To this end it will advise the Director:

The Director of the Centre will be a - with regard to the speciﬁc needs member of the Faculty of Education of the schools that the Centre Management Committee, chaired serves - through initial teacher by the Executive Dean. The Director education (primary and post- will fulﬁl a critical leadership role in primary), continuing professional the management of the Centre and development, research and school in upholding its Anglican identity and support. contribution to the life of a secular university. - on curricular content and assessment of specialist areas The Director will be supported by an within the Centre’s remit. external advisory body, a Council, whose membership will be nominated The relevant Church bodies through the by the appropriate Church bodies. Its Council will have a direct input into the core role will focus on securing and appointment of the Director of CIC. A promoting the Centre’s Anglican ethos nominee of the Council will participate and outputs within a secular University. in the selection process for all staff working in the Centre. 7 2. Functions of the Centre School Placements in primary schools under Church of Ireland, The Centre will focus its work as Methodist, Presbyterian and follows: Society of Friends patronage for • Selection of B.Ed. students applying the Centre’s B.Ed. students and through the Reformed Christian provision of related tutorials and entrant strand (CAO reserved School Placement Studies and places); related specialist research modules;

• With the support of the Anglican • Maintaining and developing active Chaplaincy, custodianship of the links with the primary schools Reserved Places B.Ed students under Church of Ireland, Methodist, throughout their undergraduate Presbyterian and Society of Friends degree; patronage and with the broader Reformed Christian communities in • Provision of compulsory B.Ed. the Republic of Ireland; modules in Religions, Ethics, Morals and Values education from an • Assurance of the curricular content Anglican and Reformed Christian of modules required to be taken perspective and the extension of by the Centre’s B.Ed. students viz. - these to any students preparing Inclusive Education, Early Childhood to teach Religious Education Education, Teaching and Working in in second-level schools under Multi-Level Schools; Protestant patronage; • Procurement of additional modules • Provision of the CIC Religious in Irish as required to assure an Education Certiﬁcate for primary appropriate standard in Irish teachers and the extension of these language literacy. to any students preparing to teach RE in second-level schools under 3. Stafﬁng Protestant patronage; Staff attached to the Centre will • Oversight of the archives and comprise: artefacts associated directly with the Centre and its history. (i) The Director of the Church of Ireland Centre Its work will also involve (ii) Coordinator of CIC School • Organising, overseeing, supporting Placement and supervising the majority of

8 (iii) Lecturer in Religions, Ethics Morals The Centre will be responsible for and Values / Co-ordinator of the CIC oversight of the care and maintenance Religious Education Certiﬁcate of the records, archives, artefacts and celebration of the culture of the Church (iv) Administrative support of Ireland College of Education.

Staff may be shared with other Other relevant academic staff may activities of the Institute (e.g. be linked to the Centre for quality undergraduate and post-graduate assurance purposes so as to conduct teaching, research direction, research relevant areas of teaching, learning and and community engagement). assessment, promotion of school links, research and public engagement work. 4. Other It is anticipated that the Centre will The Centre will be interested in have a strong relationship with the developing speciﬁc strands at Masters University Anglican Chaplaincy. The and Doctoral level reﬂecting the Anglican Chaplaincy will provide interests and expertise of the staff pastoral care to B.Ed. students, the within the Centre and the ethos, wider Institute of Education and across values, history and tradition associated DCU. with CICE. These will be developed and delivered in partnership with colleagues in the Institute and elsewhere in the University.

9 Appendix 2 Centre for Catholic Education (CCE)*

1. Governance Framework The Advisory Board: The Director will be supported by an external Advisory The Director: The Director of the CCE Board whose membership will be will be appointed by the President of nominated by the Roman Catholic the University in consultation with Archbishop of Dublin. Its core role will the Roman Catholic Archbishop of focus on securing and promoting the Dublin. The Director will fulﬁl a critical Centre’s Catholic ethos and outputs leadership role in the management of within a secular University. To this end the Centre, in upholding its Catholic it will: identity and service to the Catholic educational community as well as • advise the Director with regard to its contribution to the life of the the speciﬁc needs of the primary university. The Director of the Centre and post-primary schools which the will be a member of the Faculty of Centre serves. Education Management Committee, chaired by the Executive Dean. • advise the Director on curricular content and assessment of * Working title specialist areas within the Centre’s remit.

10 • provide a representative who, along 2. contribute to taught and research with the Director, will be part of the programmes, where appropriate, Appointment’s Board for members throughout the University and of core staff working directly in the also provide complementary and CCE. distinct offerings which address the needs of its constituency.

2. Speciﬁc Functions of the CCE 3. inspire and educate teachers, school chaplains, school leaders In engaging with Catholic education, and managers to understand, the CCE will be responsive to the develop and critique the Catholic present and evolving needs of both educational ethos of their school primary and post-primary Catholic communities and classrooms. schools. It will build synergies with relevant stakeholder bodies within the 4. complement the more general Catholic community, be responsive to provision provided relating to school the Church’s educational philosophy placement within the Institute of and to the needs of primary schools Education’s programmes of initial conducted ‘in accordance with the teacher education to ensure that doctrines, practices and traditions student teachers are prepared to of the Roman Catholic Church’. Its undertake placements in Catholic approach will acknowledge the schools. actual diversity present within the Catholic school sector and among the 5. complement the general Religious students of the Institute of Education Education provision offered in the participating in the educational Institute of Education by providing activities offered by the Centre. It those distinctive elements required will make distinctive academic and to teach RE in Catholic schools . professional contributions in a manner appropriate to a higher educational 6. provide the professional and environment being located in, and academic education of those contributing to, the wider work of the employed as Chaplains or Institute and the University. Coordinators of Chaplaincy Services in schools. The CCE will: 7. promote and undertake research, 1. maintain and develop active source research funding, organize partnerships with the schools under conferences and publish in areas Catholic patronage or trusteeship related to Catholic education and the education of Catholic pupils.

11 8. work with others in Ireland and internationally to advance Research, Teaching and Learning in the ﬁeld of Catholic education.

3. Stafﬁng

Staff attached to the Centre will comprise:

• A Director

• Academic specialists in Catholic Education, Catholic Religious Education, Catholic Theology and Chaplaincy Studies

• Administrative support.

• A small number of additional occasional staff will be required to provide specialist and supplementary expertise as the need arises.

4. Other

The creation of a Chair of Catholic Education is regarded as desirable to establish a world-class centre.

It is anticipated that the Centre will have a strong relationship with the University’s Catholic Chaplaincy.