Primary Principals Group

07 November 2017 The Rt Hon. James Brokenshire MP Secretary of State for N Ireland Stormont House BT4 3SH

Dear Mr Brokenshire,

We, the undersigned School Principals, representing over 92,000 children across all educational sectors and all geographical regions of , have written to various officials and politicians on two previous occasions this year regarding the very concerning cuts being made to school budgets. During the six months since our first letter there has been no improvement in the situation. We are shocked and outraged that of the £10million additional funding for education, announced last month, nothing is being allocated to schools. As a group of school principals we are growing increasingly concerned that our warnings are not being heeded and that, consequently our children are suffering.

The lack of leadership from Stormont, the Department of Education and the Education Authority is resulting in a situation where communication is poor and often contradictory and, consequently, to an atmosphere where rumours are rife.

In order to maintain basic provision for the children in our schools we renew our call for:  an immediate increase of at least 7% in school budgets from your 24 April 2017 announcement; and  a guaranteed year on year increase to school budgets in line with inflation for at least the next 5 years.

We also seek clarity on the following issues:  Some of our members are being told that budget surpluses from the last financial year cannot be accessed this year; others are being told that the surpluses are available.  Why are schools being given contradictory information?  If the surpluses are not available, on what basis can these funds, already accounted for within our 3-year plans, be withdrawn?  Despite pressuring schools to make staff cuts that would have very serious impacts on the quality of children’s education and their educational outcomes, the EA has introduced a new layer of management, assistant directors, with salaries rumoured to be in the region of £80K/p.a.  It is rumoured that the additional £50M for education announced following the DUP / Tory deal, will not reach school budgets, but will be used to make up the shortfall in the EA’s growing budget deficit.  How can this be justified at a time when our most vulnerable children are being disadvantaged?  Who is holding EA to account?

We request an urgent meeting with yourself and the permanent secretary for the Department of Education in order to discuss the current budget crisis and to seek clarity regarding the questions posed above. We would be happy for you to meet with us all or, alternatively, with a smaller delegation.

We look forward to your response.

c.c. to Gavin Boyd 5 main political parties each of the sectoral bodies

Dr Graham Gault Maghaberry Primary School and Nursery Unit, Moira Jackie Wallace Stranmillis Primary School, Belfast Sandra Salters Abercorn Primary School, Stephen Moore Academy Primary School, Alison Craig Alexander Dickson Primary School, Jon Beattie All Children's Integrated Primary School, Newcastle Richard Reid Anahilt Primary School, Anahilt Ralph Magee Andrews Memorial Primary School, David Dickson Armstrong Primary School, Andrea Sawyers Augher Central Primary School, Augher David Spratt Ballycarrickmaddy Primary School, Ballycarrickmaddy Gloria Trueick Ballycarry Primary School, Ballycarry Dr Hazel Edwards Ballycraigy Primary School, Antrim Colm McAteer Ballyholland Primary School, Sandra Sheeran Ballykeel Primary School and Nursery Unit, Ballykeel Stephen Gray Ballymacash Primary School, Daniel Mulholland Ballymacrickett Primary School and Nursery Unit Michael Moore Ballynahinch Primary School, Ballynahinch Elaine Doherty Ballynure Primary School, Ballynure Carolyn Craig Primary School, Ballywalter Peter Campbell Bangor Central Integrated Primary School, Bangor Catherine Wisener-Clarke Barnish Primary School, Mary Lou Richmond Bellaghy Primary School, Bellaghy Esdille Lappin Belleek Primary School, Belleek Niky Watson Belvoir Primary School, Belfast Larissa Hunter Primary School, Newry Patricia Watson Birches Primary Schoolm, Craigavon Jill Neill Primary School, Craigavon Mark Vallelly Bocombra Primary School, Craigavon Paul Bell Botanic Primary School, Belfast Michael Peacock Brackenagh West Primary School, Diane Dawson Primary School, Belfast Teresa Devlin Bridge Integrated Primary School, Banbridge Elizabeth Davidson Bronte Primary School, Banbridge Colin Elliott Brownlee Primary School, Lisburn Máire Uí Éigeartaigh Bunscoil agus Naíscoil Bheann Mhadagáin, Béal Feirste Maria Nic Fhearchair Bunscoil An Iuir, Lúr Cinn Trá Sorcha Ní Mhurchú Bunscoil an Traonaigh, Lios na Scéithe Aingeal Nic an tSábhaisigh Bunscoil Bheanna Boirche, Kathryn de Brún Bunscoil Naomh Proinsias, Lorgain Séamus Ó Tuama Bunscoil Phobal Feirste, Béal Feirste J Currie Cairnshill Primary School, Belfast Raymond Ross Carniny Primary School, Ballymena Brian Duff Carnmoney Primary School, Carnmoney Roger Clarke Carntall Primary School, Clogher Anne Cassidy Carrick Primary School, Burren Alison Lindsay Carrick Primary School, Nuala Hall Carrickfergus Central Primary School, Carrickfergus Derek Harkness Carr's Glen Primary School, Belfast Barbara Preston Primary School, Carryduff Niall McLean Castlewellan Primary School, Castlewellan Hilary Crichton Cedar Integrated Primary School and Nursery Unit, Sinead Beare Christ the Redeemer Primary School and Nursery Unit, Dunmurray Nial Smyth Christian Brothers' Primary School , Armagh Rosalind Cartmill Churchill Primary School, Caledon Ashley Cunningham Churchtown Primary School, Cookstown Julie Thomas Primary School, Bangor Liz Briggs Clare Primary School, Barry Randall Clintyclay Primary School, Dungannon Christopher Murray Clonalig Primary School, Culloville Garaí Mac Roibeaird Coláiste Feirste Olive Collins Colcrow Primary School, Coleraine Brenda Murphy College Farm Nursery School, Armagh Neil Downing Cookstown Primary School, Cookstown Karen Atchison Cooley Primary School and Nursery Unit, Omagh Philip Chambers Cope Primary School, Armagh Jill McKee Cortamlet Primary School, Altnamachin L Dunwoody Creavery Primary School David Heggarty Primary School, Belfast Eugene Millan Crossroads Primary School, Kilrea Christine Boal Crumlin Integrated Primary School, Crumlin Ashleigh Galway Currie Primary School, Belfast Joan McMenemy Primary School, Elaine Williamson Dickson Primary School, Lurgan Lisa Brown Doagh Primary School, Doagh Lynne Nesbitt Donacloney Primary School, Donacloney Edwin Barr Primary School, Donaghadee Stuart Harrison Donaghey Primary School, Dungannon Michelle Johnston Donegal Road Primary School, Belfast Niall Stevenson Primary School, Downpatrick John Knaggs Downshire Primary School, Hillsborough Andrew Armstrong Primary School, Dromara Wendy McKeown Primary School, Newry Linda Allen Dromore Central Primary School, Dromore Sharon McGrath Dromore Road Primary School, Keith Spiers Drumadonnell Primary School, Banbridge Terry McMaster Drumahoe Primary School, Londonderry Alison Steen Drumane Primary School, Londonderry Gerard Poyntz Drumduff Primary School, Sixmilecross Elaine McKeown Drumgor Primary School, Craigavon Keith Campbell Drumhillery Primary School, Armagh Janice Marshall Drumlins Integrated Primary School, Ballynahinch Julie Kelly Drumsallen Primary School, Armagh David Thompson Dungannon Primary School, Dungannon Judith Hackett Dunmurray Primary School, Dunmurray Leanne Smyth Dunseverick Primary School, Dunseverick Raymond Symth Earlview Primary School and Nursery, Newtownabbey Dr Martin Sheeran Eden Primary School, Carrickfergus Stephen Wilson Edenderry Primary School, Banbridge Stephen Doyle Edenderry Primary School, Anne McAlinden Edendork Primary School, Dungannon Jim Brown Fair Hill Primary School, Dromara Alastair Mackay Finaghy Primary School, Belfast Neville Watson Forge Integrated Primary School, Belfast Lorna Rankin Forth River Primary School, Belfast Kathryn Parker Fourtowns Primary School, Ahoghill Brídín Ní Dhonnghaile Gaelscoil an Chaistil, Baile an Chaistil Ciara McBride Gaelscoil an Lónnáin, Belfast Alisica O'Kane Gaelscoil Éadain Mhóir, Doire Maighréad Ní Chonghaile Gaelscoil Éanna, Glengormley Orla Flanagan Gaelscoil na bhFál, Béal Feirste Oisín MacEó Gaelscoil na Daróige, Doire Karen Morgan Gaelscoil na Móna, Béal Feirste Shauna Kelly Gaelscoil na Speiríní, Conor McPhillips Gaelscoil Uí Néill, Coalisland Doreen Armstrong Gilford Primary School, Craigavon David Corbertt Gilnahirk Primary School, Belfast Shaunagh McKirgan Glencraig Integrated Primary School, Nigel Arnold Glengormley Controlled Integrated Primary School, Glengormley Wesley Wright Glenwood Primary School, Belfast Diane Hawthorne Glynn Primary School, Glynn Damien O'Neill Good Shepherd Primary School, Poleglass Iris Wallace Gortin Primary School, Gortin Amanda White Grange Park Primary School, Liam McGuckin Greenisland Primary School, Greenisland Phil Derrick Grey Abbey Primary School, Derek Hutchinson Primary School, Hamiltonsbawn Stephen Cumper Harding Memorial Primary School, Belfast Elaine Anderson Hardy Memorial Primary School, Richhill Hilary Johnston Harmony Hill Primary School, Lisburn Alison Hutchinson Harmony Primary School, Belfast Lesley Meikle Harryville Primary School, Nursery and Nurture Units, Ballymena Julie Shipley Hart Memorial Primary School, Craigavon Beverley Gray Hazelbank Primary School, Broughshane Patricia Murtagh Hazelwood Integrated Primary and Nursery School, Newtownabbey Peter Campbell Hezlett Primary School, Castlerock Bill Fletcher Hollybank ps Carmel Dunn Hollybusy Primary School and Nursery Orla McDonnell Holy Child Primart School, Derry Martin Short Holy Child Primary School Belfast Claire Robinson Holy Evangelist's Primary and Nursery School, Belfast Siobhan McQuaid Holy Family Primary School, Belfast Orla Gorman Holy Family Primary School, Dungannon Maura Dolan Holy Family Primary School, Omagh Brian Treacy Holy Trinity Primary and Nursery School, Enniskillen Fiona Boyd Holy Trinity Primary School, Belfast Phyllis McWilliams Howard Primary School, Dungannon Raymond Hunter John Paul II PS Belfast Donal Keenan Jonesboro’ Primary School, Newry Roy McClelland Kells and Connor Primary School, Kells Denise Moorehead KIlbroney Integrated Primary School, Newry Helena McCabe Kilkeel Primary School, Kilkeel Louise Campbell Killean Primary School, Newry David Crawford Killen Primary School, Castlederg Chris Currie Primary School, Killinchy Fiona Douglas Primary School and Nursery Unit, Lisburn Sheila McKeown Killowen Primary School, Eileen McKenzie Killyhommon Primar ySchool, Boho Pam Lowry Primary School, Armagh Jason Milligan Primary School, Downpatrick Deborah Mitchell Killyman Primary School, Dungannon Karen Stinson Kilrea Primary School, Kilrea Gemma Harrison Kingsmill Primary School, Kingsmill Gerry Black Knockahollet Primary School, Ballymoney Pamela McKenna Knockbreda Primary School, Belfast Amber Walsh Lack Primary School, Co. Fermanagh Gillian Dunlop Largymore Primary School, Lisburn Vivien Moorhouse Leaney Primary School, Ballymoney Lynsey Stewart Ligoniel Primary School, Belfast Ian Stewart Lisburn Central Primary School, Lisburn Wesley Edgar Lislagan Primary School, Ballymoney Greig Savage Primary School, Armagh Colin Torrens Lisnagelvin Primary School, Londonderry Philip Monks Lisnasharragh Primary School, Belfast Linda Armour Loanends Primary School, Loanends Joyce Logue Long Tower Primary School, Derry Karen Carlin Loughash Primary School, Dunamanagh Neil Campbell Lurgan Model Primary School, Lurgan D Winters Maghera Primary School, Maghera Julian Costello Maine Integrated Primary School, Randalstown Jenny Barber Malvern Primary School, Belfast Gillian Napier Maralin Village Primary School, Dr Helen McClernon Primary School, Co Armagh Paul Good Meadowbridge Primary School, Lisburn Sharon Lamont MBE Millburn Primary School, Coleraine Heather Murray Millington Primary School, Portadown MarieClare McNamee Millquarter Primary School, Toomebridge Colin Ford Moira Primary School, Moira Sharon McLoughlin Moneydarragh Primary School, Newry Margaret Rogers Moneydarragh Primary School, Newry Ashley Cunningham Moneymore Primary School, Magherafelt Roy Greer Moneyrea Primary School, Moneyrea Vi Dawson Moorfields Primary School, Ballymena Julia Henderson Mossley Nursery School, Mossley Stephen Mulligan Mossley Primary School, Newtownabbey Lorna Mackey Primary School, Armagh Jennifer Little Moy Regional Primary School, Dungannon Lynne McClimonds Mullavilly Primary School, Tandragee Mary Nic Ailín Naíscoil & Gaelscoil Éadain Mhóir, Doire Pilib Mistéil Naíscoil agus Bunscoil an tSléibhe Dhuibh, Béal Feirste Máire Mhic Lochlainn Naíscoil Dhoire and Bunscoil Cholmcille, Doire Sean Campbell Old Warren Primary School, Lisburn June McMillan Orchard County Primary School, Craigavon Kenny Wright Orritor Primary School, Cookstown Simone Prenter Our Lady and St Patrick PS/Bunscoil Mhuire agus Phádraig, Downpatrick Cathal O' Doherty Our Lady Queen of Peace Belfast Pat Mallon Our Lady’s Primary School, Tullysaran Gary Farrell Our Ladys and St. Mochua’s Primary School, Orla O'Dowd Our Lady's Primary School, Belfast Philippa Peden Parkgate Primary School, Ballyclare Sandra Boyd Parkhall Primary School, Antrim Geoffrey Cherry Pond Park Primary School, Lisburn Dorothy McKeating Integrated Primary School Alan Millar Portstewart Primary School, Portstewart Lornette Mc Alister Primary School, Poyntzpass Yvonne Mulholland Presentation Primary School, Portadown Perry Charlwood Randalstown Central Primary School, Randalstown Emma Quinn Rathcoole Primary School and Nursery Unit, Rathcoole Vivian Robinson Richmond Primary School, Ballygawley Vivian Robinson Richmond Primary School, Ballygawley Mark Hall Richmount Primary School, Portadown Trevor Carruthers Riverdale Primary School, Lisburn Stephen Mone Roan St. Patrick’s Primary School, Dungannon Robert Irvine Rosetta Primary School, Belfast Ruth Clarke Round Tower Primary School, Antrim Joanne Smyth Sacred Heart Boys' Primary School, Belfast Terence McDowell Saint Eithne's Primary School, Derry Bronagh McVeigh Saint Vincent de Paul Primary School, Belfast Julie McCartney Saints and Scholars Integrated Primary School, Armagh Heather Lindsay Primary School, Scarva Eilís O'Neill Scoil na Fuiseoige, Béal Feirste Chris Scott Seagoe Primary School, Portadown Corinne Latham Seaview Primary School, Ballymena Barry Corr Seaview Primary School, Glenarm Oonagh McNelis Sion Mills Primary School, Sion Mills Audrey Fitzsimons Spa Primary School, Spa Joan Bell Spires Integrated Primary School, Magherafelt Kathryn Haugh Springfield Primary School, Belfast Michael Keenan St Anne's Primary School, Belfast Olivia Coyle St Bridgid's Primary School, Gortin Michelle Monaghan St Clare’s Abbey Primary School, Newry Mary Donnelly St Coleman's Primary School, Kilkeel Margaret Neason St Colman’s Primary School Kevin O'Neill St Colman's Primary School and All Saints' Nursery Unit, Stephen Baine St Colman's Primary School, Lambeg Peter Cush St Colmcille's PS, Carrickmore Joni Mc Sorley St Eugene's Primary School, Tircur Barry Coulter St Finian's Primary School, Newtownards Nuala McGarvey St Francis of Assisi Primary School, Keady Anthony McMorrow St Francis' Primary School, Lurgan Paula Cunningham St James’s Primary School and Nursery Unit, Newtownabbey Michelle Morgan St John the Baptist PS, Belfast Gerry Mone St John’s Middletown Maura Tennyson St John's Eglish Primary School, Portadown Gerry Mone St John's Primary School, Middletown Pauline McEvoy St Joseph’s and James’ Primary School, Poyntzpass Gary Trainor St Joseph's Primary Schhol, Siobhan McArdle St Joseph's Primary School, Crossgar Pauline Fleming St Joseph's Primary School, Lisburn Mairead Weir St Joseph's Primary School, Slate Street, Belfast Catherine McKenna St Joseph's PS Killeenan, Cookstown Brian McAlea St Kieran's Primary School, Poleglass Brea Friel St Laurence O’Tooles Primary School, Beleek James Kearns St Malachy's Primary School, , Newry Caitriona McAtarsney St Mary’s Primary School, Craigavon Joan Altridge St Mary’s Primary School, Mary Harbinson St Mary's Primary School, Belfast Brenda Casey St Mary's Primary School, Garnemore Helen Ingram St Mary's Primary School, Mullymesker James Magee St Mary's Primary School, Portaferry Fergal McCann St Mary's Primary School, Tempo Geraldine Carville St Michael's Primary School, Randalstown Gavin O'Reilly St Ninnidh's Primary School, Derrylin Patrick McCabe St Oliver Plunkett Primary School, Belfast Brian McLaughlin St Oliver Plunkett Primary School, Derry Eamonn Magee St Patrick’s & St Brigid’s PS & Nursery Unit, Ballycastle Aidan Rafferty St Patrick’s & St Joseph’s PS, Garvagh Paul Coulter St Patrick's Primary School and Magheradroll Nursery Unit, Ballinahinch Michal Madine St Patrick’s PS & Irish Medium Unit Gaelscoil Phádraig Naofa, Declan Mason St Patrick’s Primary School, Cabra Paul Quinn St Patrick's Primary School, Dera Cahalane St Patrick's Primary School, Donaghmore Sorcha Lynass St Patrick's Primary School, Drumgreenagh Mary Grugan St Patrick's Primary School, Gortin Una Lawless St Patrick's Primary School, Hiltown Sean McNamee St Paul's Primary and Nursery School, Belfast Anne Molloy St Paul's Primary School, Irvinestown John Campbell St Peter's Primary School and Nursery Unit, Cloughreagh Kevin Donaghy St Ronan's Primary School, Newry Terry Rodgers St Teresa’s Primary School Siobhan McTaggart St Therese of Lisieux Primary School, Belfast Henry Duffin St. Anne's Primary School, Corkey Sean McMorrow St. Anthony’s Primary School, Craigavon Jim Brady St. Bridgid's Primary School, Ballymena Philip Artherton St. Bridgid's Primary School, Downpatrick Mary Keating St. Brigid’s Primary School, Crossmaglen Jeff Crimmins St. Brigid’s Primary School, Drumilly Mary McCallion St. Brigid's Primary School and Nursery, Derry Mary O'Kane St. Brigid's Primary School, Mayogall John Gallagher St. Bronagh’s Primary School, Rostrevor Fiona McCann St. Canice's Primary School, Feeny Colette White St. Clare's Primary School and Nursery Unit, Belfast Kevin O’Neill St. Colman’s Primary School, Annaclone Gerry McBrien St. Colman’s Primary School, Dromore Una Farell St. Dallan’s Primary School, Warrenpoint Gavin Gallagher St. Eugene's Primary School, Victoria Bridge Donal McNally St. Francis Primary School, Aghaderg Jacqueline Loughran St. Jarlath's Primary School, Dungannon Mario Gribbon St. John the Baptist Primary School, Portadown Catherine McCooe St. John’s Primary School, Gilford Philip O'Neill St. John's Kingsisland Primary School John Kilpatrick St. John's Primary School, Dungannon Doreen O’Neill St. Joseph’s Convent Primary School, Newry Julian Kelly St. Joseph’s Primary School, F Hannaway St. Joseph’s Primary School, Bessbrook Marie McKenna St. Joseph’s Primary School, Caledon Paud Loughran St. Joseph’s Primary School, Madden Oonagh McNally St. Joseph’s Primary School, Meigh Paul Donaldson St. Joseph's Primary School, Belfast Dominic Donnelly St. Joseph's Primary School, Carryduff Jim Kearns St. Malachy’s Primary School, Camlough Mary Creggan St. Malachy’s Primary School, Newry Justin Toner St. Malachy’s Primary School, Whitecross Dermot Flynn St. Malachy's Primary School, Belfast Mairead Leonard St. Mary’s Primary School, Aughnacloy Seamus McCreesh St. Mary’s Primary School, Cabragh Sheila Devlin St. Mary’s Primary School, Dunamore Feena Hughes St. Mary’s Primary School, Damian Eannetta St. Mary’s Primary School, Pomeroy Margaret McConville St. Mary’s Primary School, Des O’Hagan St. Mary’s Primary, Banbridge Paul Shields St. Mary's Primary School, Barr Seamus Dorrian St. Mary's Primary School, Kircubbin John Hegarty St. Mary's Primary School, Maghera John Prunty St. Mary's Primary School, Maguiresbridge Sandra O'Doherty St. Mary's Primary School, Strabane John White St. Michael’s Primary School, Clady Donal McCaul St. Michael’s Primary School, Finnis Cathal Murphy St. Michael’s Primary School, Newtownhamiltom Maria Kennedy St. Olcan's Primary School Kevin Woods St. Oliver Plunkett Primary School, Ronan Gallagher St. Oliver Plunketts Primary School, Ballyhegan Martin Whyte St. Oliver Plunkett's Primary School, Toome Brendan Tierney St. Oliver’s Primary School, Carrickovaddy Ciaran Mackin St. Patrick’s Primary School and Nursery Unit, Newry Jim Lee St. Patrick’s Primary School, Aghacommon Anne McGuinness St. Patrick’s Primary School, Annaghmore Sean McKinley St. Patrick’s Primary School, Armagh Marie McGrath St. Patrick’s Primary School, Magheralin Annette McAnenly St. Patrick’s Primary School, Moneymore Gemma Quinn St. Patrick’s Priumary School, Aughadarragh Paul Fitzpatrick St. Patrick's Primary School, Derrygonnelly Kevin O'Hara St. Patrick's Primary School, Derrynaseer Sarah McDowell St. Patrick's Primary School, Legamaddy Noel McCann St. Patrick's Primary School, Rasharkin Gareth Blackery St. Paul's Primary and Nursery School, Derry Jim McAlinden St. Peter’s Primary School, Moy Eunan Kearney St. Teresa’s Primary School, Lurgan Sinead McCourt St. Teresa’s Primary School, Tullyherron Peter McDonnell St.Mary’s Primary School, Kendra Bolton Stewartstown Primary School, Stewartstown Simon Finlay Straid Primary School, Straid Wendy Savage Strandtown Primary School, Belfast David McCollum Tandragee Primary School, Tandragee Aiden F. McVey Tannaghmore Primary School, Lurgan M Darragh Tannaghmore Primary School, Tannaghmore Janet Douds Taughmonagh Primary School, Belfast Alan W Brown Towerview Primary School, Bangor Kirsty Andrews Tullygally Primary School, Craigavon Christopher Fulton Victoria Primary School, Carrickfergus Laura Patterson Walker Memorial Primary School, Dungannon Carl McCambley Waringstown Primary School, Waringstown Jim Todd Westwinds Primary School, Newtownards Maxine Hume Wheatfield Primary School, Belfast Frazer Bailie Whitehouse Primary School & Nursery Unit Isobel McKane Windsor Hill Primary School, Newry Karen White Woods Primary School