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Destination NI » EducationEducationSignificant Features of the NI Education System
The education system in Northern Ireland has a number of distinctive features.
Secondary education retains largely a selective system with pupils going to grammar schools or secondary schools according to academic ability. There is also a very large voluntary school sector consisting of voluntary grammar schools (under either Catholic or non-denominational
management) and Catholic maintained schools.
Schools The main types of school management at present are: -
a. Controlled
Controlled schools are managed by Education and Library Boards through Boards
of Governors. Primary and secondary school Boards of Governors consist of representatives
of transferors (mainly the Protestant Churches) along with representatives of
parents, teachers and ELB's. Nursery, grammar and special school Boards of Governors
consist of representatives of the latter 3 categories.
b. Voluntary (Maintained) Voluntary (maintained) schools are managed by Boards of Governors, which consist of members nominated by trustees (mainly Catholic), along with representatives of parents, teachers and ELB's. Voluntary schools vary in the rates of capital grant to which they are entitled,
depending on the management structures they have adopted. A majority are entitled
to capital grants at 100%.
c.Voluntary (Non-Maintained)
These are mainly voluntary grammar schools, managed by Boards of Governors which consist of persons appointed as provided in each school's scheme of management along with representatives of parents and teachers and, in most cases, members appointed by the Department of Education or ELB's. Voluntary Grammar Schools have been funded directly by the Department but, under the 1998 Education Order, this responsibility will pass to ELB's. d.Grant-Maintained Integrated Schools
In recent years a number of grant-maintained integrated schools have been established
at primary level and post-primary levels. Such schools have been funded directly
by the Department of Education but, under the 1998 Education Order, responsibility
will pass to ELB's.
e.Irish Medium Schools
There are currently 14 grant-aided Irish Medium schools and 9 units (7 primary and 2 secondary) catering for 2,313 pupils. This means that approximately 97% of all those being educated through the medium of Irish are in fully grant-aided schools. f.Independent Schools In addition to the public system of free education, there are also independent schools. These schools do not necessarily follow the Northern Ireland Curriculum and do not receive grant-aid from the Department. Some of these schools charge fees which are payable directly to the school by parents. Independent schools look after their own day-to-day affairs but are subject to inspection to ensure they maintain acceptable standards of education appropriate for the number, ages and sex of the pupils attending the school. (Source: Board of Education) Nursery Schools:
Nursery education is provided in nursery schools, which have their own principals
and in nursery units in primary schools where the principal of the primary school
has overall responsibility for the unit. Nursery schools and units are managed
by the Education and Library Boards. Children can attend from the age of two years
and two months up until they go to primary school. (at the age of four). There
is no fee and attendance is not compulsory. The hours are normally between 9.30am
and 1.00pm.
For further information on where free pre-school education places are located in your area and for copies of application forms, contact your local Education and Library Board at the address or telephone number below. Belfast Education and Library Board 40 Academy St Belfast BT1 2NQ Tel: 028 9056 4000 Western Education and Library Board
Campsie House 1 Hospital Road Omagh Co.Tyrone BT79 OAW Tel: 028 8241 1411 North-Eastern Education and Library Board
Schools Branch County Hall 182 Galgorm Road Ballymena Co.Antrim Tel: 028 2565 3333 South - Eastern Education and Library Board
Grahamsbridge Road Dundonald Belfast BT16 OHS Tel:028 9056 6200 Southern Education and Library Board
3 Charlemont Place Armagh BT61 9BA Tel: 028 3752 3811 Playgroups
Playgroups that run for longer than two hours must be registered with their local Health and Social Services Trust. Children normally attend between the ages of 2 years and nine months and leave when they are about to attend primary school at the age of four. Children can every week day, normally between the hours of 9.30am and 12.30pm. Most playgroups charge a fee. Some places are free and are funded by the Education and Library Boards but this is only available for children in their Pre School year. Playgroups provide children with the opportunity to play in a stimulating environment and to mix with other children. For information on Playgroups in your area please contact the relevant Trust. (For a lists of Trusts and contact numbers see the section on Health and Social Services Boards and Trusts) Ages
Children attend Primary School between the ages of 4 -11 Secondary School between the ages of 11 - 16 (a student can stay on after the age of 16 depending on the course they are doing) Grammar School between the ages of 11 - 18. Technical Colleges from the ages of 16 years plus. University normally from the ages of 18 plus (length of stay depends on the type of course chosen). Educational Bodies BIFHE Belfast Institute of Further & Higher Education
Student Information Services Gerald Moag Campus Millfield Belfast BT1 1HS Tel: 028 9026 5000 Fax:028 9026 5451 www.belfastinstitute.ac.uk QUB
Queens University Belfast University Road Belfast BT7 1NN Tel: 028 9024 5133 Fax: 028 9024 7895 www.qub.ac.uk University of Ulster Campuses University of Ulster at Jordanstown
Shore Road Newtownabbey BT37 0QB Tel: 087 700 400 700 www.ulster.ac.uk University of Ulster at Belfast
York St Belfast BT15 1ED Tel: 087 700 400 700 University of Ulster at Coleraine Cromore Road Co.Londonderry BT52 1SA Tel:087 700 400 700 University at Ulster at Magee
Northland Road Londonderry BT48 7JL Tel: 087 700 400 700 Open University
40 University Road Belfast BT7 1SU Tel: 028 9024 5025 |
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