CCMS/M/110/07
COUNCIL FOR CATHOLIC MAINTAINED SCHOOLS
MINUTES
The one hundred and tenth meeting of the Council for Catholic Maintained Schools was held in Holywood on Thursday 6th December 2007 at 1.30 p.m.
PRESENT : The Most Rev J McAreavey The Most Rev D McKeown
Mr J Beatty Mrs E McWilliams
Rt Rev Monsignor S Cahill Mr S McGaughey
Br P Collier Mr D Mullan
Mr F Donnelly Canon J Mullin
The Most Rev F Lagan Mr B McCargo
Rt Rev Monsignor A Hamill Fr S Rice
Mrs M Haughey Ms P Sheils
Mr E Mullan Mrs M Simpson
Mrs J Christie Dame G Keegan
Mr S Smith Fr K Donaghy
The Most Rev P Walsh Very Rev Fr S Emerson
Mr D Millie
IN ATTENDANCE: Mr D Flanagan, Chief Executive
Mr J Clarke, Deputy Chief Executive
Mr G Lundy, Head of School Planning and Development
Mrs L Montgomery, Head of Human Resources and Corporate Services
Mrs A Russell, PA to the Chief Executive, Minute Secretary
Ms R McCrory, Head of Personnel, (item 9 only)
110.1 APOLOGIES
Apologies were received from : Sister Eithne Woulfe, Mrs Pat Carville ,
Mr Harry Goodman, Fr Devine, Mrs Catherine O’Neill
110.2 MINUTES OF THE COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON 11th OCTOBER 2007
The Minutes of the Council Meeting held on Thursday 11th October 2007 were agreed and signed by the Chairman.
110.3 MATTERS ARISING
There were no matters arising.
110.4 CHIEF EXECUTIVE’S BUSINESS
The Chief Executive advised members that he had visited the two schools in Omagh, St Conor’s Primary School and Sacred Heart College following the tragic death of the five young children in a house fire. The Chief Executive also attended the funeral of the family.
110.5 CHAIRMAN’S BUSINESS
The Chairman congratulated Cardinal Brady on his elevation.
110.5.1 Minister Ruane Outlines Education Reforms
The Chairman advised members that he had tabled the following documents regarding the ending of the transfer test:
· Department of Education News Release
· Ministers Statement
· Catholic Bishop Statement
· Council’s Draft Statement
The Chairman gave members a few minutes to read through the documents then asked if anyone had any views or comments to make.
There followed a lengthy discussion where members expressed a variety of opinions. Many members welcomed the ending of selection but were concerned that parents would not accept Principal and teachers’ professional opinions regarding school and subject/course choices for individual pupils. Some felt that the way forward was for 11-14 schools transferring into 14-19 schools. Other members felt deflated when they received the Press Release and expressed that the lack of detail and structure to move the process forward was frustrating. There was also uncertainty regarding the legislative requirement to move this forward in the Assembly and the difficulty of getting all political parties to agree the ending of selection.
Members reacted angrily at the suggestion in the Ministers speech that the local communities in Strabane, West Belfast and Downpatrick were detached from their local schools and questioned the evidence base for such a comment.
Mr Dermot Mullan suggested that perhaps Council should seek a meeting with Ms Laura Lundy, Queen’s University to seek her views about the best way to move forward as they have previously sought her opinion on Admissions.
The Chief Executive advised that Council’s draft statement would be reworked after the Council meeting to reflect members’ comments. He continued to advise that the proposal affirms the views of the Trustees.
He concluded by advising that the Minister needs to provide a management framework or process to move her proposals forward..
110.6 SECTORAL SUPPORT RPA – POLICY PAPER 21 – CCMS RESPONSE (CCMS/P/1/110/07)
The Chief Executive introduced this item to members and advised that he had drafted this response which welcomed the opportunity to comment on Paper 21. Council acknowledges the work undertaken by the Department of Education in its preparation. He advised that the Trustees , as the owners of schools, and their representatives have had several meetings with the Department of Education officials and that this paper has been produced following these meetings.
Bishop Walsh advised that Trustees need to have direct communication with DE and ESA to ensure sectoral support is looked at from a strategic view. He continued to advise that Governors will need strong support to carry out their duties and exercise their autonomy.
There followed a lengthy discussion where members advised that this was an appropriate response and emphasised the need to have an excellent support system in place for Trustees and Governors.
The Chief Executive advised that he would forward this response to the Department of Education and concluded by advising members that Council was extremely happy that their was agreement in principle for sectoral support.
110.7 A CAREER EDUCATION, INFORMATION, ADVICE AND GUIDANCE STRATEGY FOR NORTHERN IRELAND – CCMS RESPONSE (CCMS/P/2/110/07)
The Deputy Chief Executive introduced this item to members and advised that he had tabled the 10 Consultation Questions which the response is based on. Mr Clarke took members through the response document and advised that Council welcomed the publication of this consultation document as an essential step in better meeting the needs of our young people in informing and developing their career options and aspirations. The Council has for some time expressed its concern at the apparent inability of Northern Ireland to translate its high levels of academic achievement into high status well paid employment.
Mr Clarke took members through Council’s response to the 10 Consultation Questions with particular reference to the Leitch Report which emphasises the necessity of ensuring that specific Public Service Agreements (PSAs) did not contradict each other leading to, for example, some people having jobs but no skills or qualifications which did not lead to careers. He further commented that working through this strategy will require considerable liaison between the schools, colleges and training organisations at an operational level and DE, DEL and possibly DETI at a policy level, especially in relation to funding.
There followed a lengthy discussion where members expressed a variety of opinions. Some members felt disappointed by the Departments draft document and expressed the view that there was no new thinking and no linkages with local communities and businesses.
Mr Clarke concluded by advising members that Council regards this report as timely and relevant ahead of the finalising of the Programme for Government and the Budget for the next three years along with the developments in creating at 14-19 policy for Northern Ireland.
110.8 A PROGRAMME FOR GOVERNMENT – CCMS RESPONSE
(CCMS/P/3/110/07)
The Deputy Chief Executive introduced this item for Members and advised he had issued several papers along with the Draft Programme for Government as the whole package of proposals. Mr Clarke advised members these documents provided an overview to the Programme for Government but commented that he found it difficult to respond to document which were at times vague and lacking in consistency.
Mr Clarke advised that Council welcomes this draft programme ‘Building a Better Future’ and its associated draft budget, PSA framework and investment strategy. He commented that Council would be responding to only three of the Priority Areas in the PSG:
· Growing a Dynamic, Innovated Economy
· Promote Tolerance, Inclusion and Health and Well-Being
· Delivery Modern High Quality and Efficient Public Services
The Deputy Chief Executive referred to the principles underpinning the PSG and advised that the value of principles is that actions can be tested against them. These principles, while having elements of testability, are quite general and almost aspirational. Council agrees with the broad intent in the principles but believes that they are too vague to be effective.
He further commented that the draft programme has no process for building the Economy. Mr Clarke advised members that the Standards Group had invited Mr John Compton, Corporate Affairs PricewaterhouseCoopers to their last meeting to take officers and Council members through an excellent presentation on ‘Education and Economic Development’. Mr Compton’s presentation focussed on Ireland and Northern Ireland’s economy and provided a detailed critique of the weak economic base in Northern Ireland and the need for a more connected strategy between education and the economy to promote relevant skills. The Draft PFG did not appear to address the fundamental issues for education in any coherent manner – there was throughout the PFG and the PSA targets a general lack of process and relevant coherence.
Council members who had attended the Standards Group meeting thanked the Deputy Chief Executive for the invitation to a very inspiring and informative presentation. Members agreed that the draft document did not identify clear and connected outcomes or ways to challenge risk averse accountability. Members expressed the hope that the final PFG would be significantly amended after consultation.
Members thanked the Deputy Chief Executive for this response.
110.9 GENDER IMBALANCE WITHIN THE TEACHING PROFESSION IN NORTHERN IRELAND
(CCMS/P/4/110/07)
The Chairman introduced Ms Rita McCrory, Head of Personnel and invited her to take members through the report. Ms McCrory provided an overview to members on the background of the research, and advised that the Finance and Personnel Committee had previously considered its contents.
Mr McCrory took members through the Executive Summary of the report and highlighted key contents in the following areas:
· Legislative Background;
· Previous Research
· International Perspective
· Research Methodology
· Male/Female Balance – Current Situation
· Male/Female Imbalance – Applicants to Teaching Posts
· Teaching as a career – Image of teaching
· The Male Decline in Teaching
· Findings from Primary Research
· Conclusions and Recommendations
Ms McCrory advised that the recommendations were presented in the context of the need for a joined up approach in addressing the gender imbalance issue in NI. In addition, recommendations that could be addressed by CCMS on a local level needed to be viewed and considered in the context of RPA.
Members congratulated Ms McCrory on her research. Mr Stanley Smith suggested that the report should go back to the Finance and Personnel Committee to identify which recommendations could be addressed in light of RPA. The Chairman also confirmed that this research would be provided to the Education Committee, to be considered as part of their workforce initiatives.
Dr Margaret Reynolds welcomed the research and commented that a similar piece of research has been carried out in the South of Ireland and that she would pass the relevant contact details to Ms McCrory.
110.10 REPORTS FROM COUNCIL COMMITTEES:
110.10.1 Finance & Personnel Committee [FPC/M/107/07]: The Minutes of the Finance and Personnel Committee held on Thursday 8th November 2007 were proposed and adopted by the Council.
110.10.2 Education Curricular Committee [ECC/M/97/07: The Minutes of the Education Curricular Committee held on Thursday 8th November 2007 were proposed and adopted by the Council.
110.10.3 Education Provision Committee [EPC/M/89/07]The Minutes of the Education Provision Committee Meeting held on Wednesday 14 November 2007 were proposed and adopted by the Council.
110.11 PUBLICATION OF SCHOOL INSPECTION REPORTS [CCMS/P/5/110/07]
A list of Inspection Reports which had been issued to schools was noted. Copies of the Reports were made available to Members.
110.12 DATE AND TIME OF NEXT MEETING
The next meeting of the Council for Catholic Maintained Schools will take place on Thursday 14th February 2008 at 1.30 p.m.
110.13 ONB
There was no Other Notified Business.
Signed : ______Date : ______
The Most Rev J McAreavey 14 February 2008
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