Committee for Education
Press Release
29 September 2010
EDU 01/10/11
NEW SCHOOL IS TOP CLASS
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE VISITS BELFAST BOYS' MODEL
The Northern Ireland Assembly Committee for Education today (29 September 2010) visited the newly constructed Belfast Boys’ Model School to see first hand the excellent range of facilities available to students, their families and members of the local community.
The new school accommodation includes a number of innovative amenities such as state of the art indoor and outdoor sports facilities, a performing arts theatre and a suite of fully integrated Information Technology rooms. A health clinic and a range of health promotional initiatives and programmes will also be made available to individuals and groups in the local area.
The Committee Chairperson, Mervyn Storey MLA said: “The Committee was delighted to visit Belfast Boys’ Model today and view the impressive new accommodation. We saw a balance of academic and extra-curricular opportunities which are designed to benefit not only pupils but parents and members of the local community.’
“Schools have a central role to play in nurturing and enhancing future opportunities for our young people and the Committee is keenly interested in initiatives such as the Full Service Community Schools scheme in operation at the Boys’ and Girls’ Model Schools.”
ENDS
Notes to Editors
The Principal of Belfast Boys’ Model School is Mr J. Keith, Belfast Boys’ Model School, Ballysillan Road, Belfast, N. Ireland, BT14 6RB.
In September 2007 the Minister of Education attended a celebration of the Boys’ Model and Girls’ Model becoming the first Full Service Schools to become operational. A copy of the DE News Release is attached below.
Committee Membership:Mr. Mervyn Storey (Chairperson) The Clerk to the Committee is John Simmons Media enquiries to:Jennifer Pleavin Sinead Murphy |
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Notes
DE News Release
19 September 2007 - Minister attends Full Service School celebration
Education Minister Caitríona Ruane today congratulated the Boys and Girls Model schools, Belfast and their partner organisations on becoming the First Full Service schools in operation.The Full Service Schools scheme supports schools to work with voluntary and statutory agencies and neighbouring communities to offer a range of services to students, their families and the wider community such as adult learning classes, vocational classes and parental and pupil support. The Minister took the opportunity to talk to a number of pupils and members of the community who have taken part in projects run through the scheme in the past year. One of these is a unique conflict awareness project linking Israeli and Palestinian schools with schools from across the island of Ireland, another Parenting programme offers a range of evening classes and acts as a voice for parents to enable them to become more involved in the life of the school. The Minister said: “Schools such as these are placed right at the heart of their communities. By working together we can address the barriers to learning faced by our young people and enable them to achieve their full potential. “We have also seen that by allowing schools and other organisations to work together and share their wide range of skills, knowledge and facilities it is not only the pupils and young people who benefit but also the wider community.”John Graham, Principal for Girls Model commented “In our opinion the Full Service School has already made an important contribution to improving the life chances of pupils in the Model Schools. Jim Keith, Principal for Boys Model added “It is imperative for schools, in deprived areas, especially, to work in co-operation and partnership with all agencies, both statutory and voluntary, in order to maximise the life chances of all children.”
Notes to Editors:
1. Research in England and elsewhere confirm the positive contribution which Full Service Schools make to raising standards.
2. Bearing Point has been appointed to evaluate the project and is utilising the services of Professor Alan Dyson of the Centre for Equity in Education at Manchester University. Professor Dyson is a leading authority on Extended Schools and Full Service Schools.
3. The Full Service Schools project and the wider Extended Schools programme are a key vehicle for the delivery of the Ten Year Strategy for Children and Young People.