Education Committee

Inquiry into Successful Post - Primary Schools Serving Disadvantaged Communities

Press Release

11 November 2010

EDU 02/10/11

KEY TO SCHOOL SUCCESS FOCUS OF COMMITTEE INQUIRY

The Northern Ireland Assembly Committee for Education has launched an Inquiry into Successful Post-Primary Schools Serving Disadvantaged Communities.

The aim of the Inquiry [1] is to look at examples of successful post-primary schools serving disadvantaged communities, to identify what makes these schools successful, and how similar success might be reproduced in other schools. The Inquiry will also consider underachievement in disadvantaged communities, including higher levels of underachievement of boys.

Launching the Inquiry, Chairperson of the Committee, Mr Mervyn Storey MLA said: “The Committee has already completed some very useful work on successful post-primary schools [2]. From what we have seen effective school leadership and positive engagement with parents and the wider community are key to these schools’ success.”

The specific Terms of Reference for the Committee’s Inquiry can be viewed here, including how to submit written evidence to the Committee as part of this Inquiry.

ENDS

Notes to Editors

[1] Aim of the Inquiry: “To consider examples of successful post-primary schools serving economically and socially disadvantaged communities, identify the key characteristics/factors which contribute to their success and consider how they can be reproduced in schools where they are lacking.”

[2] As part of its preliminary work the Committee visited Belfast Boys’ Model School on 29 September 2010 and a copy of the press release for that visit can be viewed at: http://archive.niassembly.gov.uk/education/2007mandate/press/2010/edu011011.htm

Committee Membership:

Mr. Mervyn Storey (Chairperson)
Mr. David Hilditch (Deputy Chairperson)
Mr. Dominic Bradley
Mrs. Mary Bradley
Mr. Jonathan Craig
Sir Reg Empey
Mr. Trevor Lunn
Mr. Basil McCrea
Miss. Michelle McIlveen
Mr. John O’Dowd
Ms. Michelle O’Neill

The Clerk to the Committee is John Simmons
Committee for Education, Rm 242, Parliament Buildings, Ballymiscaw, Stormont Belfast BT4 3XX
Tel: 028 9052 1787
Mob: 07900 053929
Fax: 028 9052 1371
Email: john.simmons@niassembly.gov.uk

Media enquiries to:

Jennifer Pleavin
Communications Officer
Northern Ireland Assembly
Phone: 028 9052 1606
Mobile : 07502 379339
Email: jennifer.pleavin@niassembly.gov.uk

Sinead Murphy
Deputy Communications Officer
Northern Ireland Assembly
Phone: 028 9052 5938
Mobile : 07899 864368
Email: sinead.murphy@niassembly.gov.uk