Four schools engaging in process on possible patronage change

The possibility of Athlone having a multi-denominational primary school in the near future has moved a significant step closer, it's emerged, with four schools in the urban area currently engaging with the Department of Education about a possible transfer of patronage and a change from the Catholic ethos.

The move comes in the wake of an announcement last March by the Minister for Education Norma Foley that Athlone was among a number of areas being included in a new pilot project for possible school reconfiguration.

The Minister said at that stage that arrangements would be put in place in a number of towns and cities, including Athlone, that have no multi-denominational primary schools to identify potential schools and to engage with school authorities, staff and the school communities with a view to agreeing on a transfer of patronage and change of ethos, where there is sufficient demand.

A facilitator was appointed in July to work with school authorities and patrons to conduct consultation in Athlone as part of a development which could pave the way for a multi-denominational school or schools in the town in the years ahead.

A spokesperson for the Department of Education has confirmed to the Westmeath Independent that four schools in the Athlone area, three on the Connaught side in the Diocese of Elphin and one on the Leinster side in the Diocese of Ardagh and Clonmacnois, are currently engaged in that process which could see a transfer from the current Catholic patronage.

The Diocese of Elphin said that three of its Athlone schools are participating in this process after the department contacted the Catholic patrons of schools in the Athlone area requesting cooperation with the pilot project. The patrons agreed to a process of consultation to be undertaken by a facilitator.

“As there has been ongoing dialogue for many years about the future relationship of St Peter's NS, St Paul's NS and the Dean Kelly NS, the patron agreed to a process of consultation to be undertaken by the Department's facilitator in order to plan what is best for the three school communities into the future,” the Diocese of Elphin said in brief statement.

“The Bishop of Elphin, as patron of these schools, is committed to providing Catholic education for parents who want this for their children while respecting the need for other forms of school provision in Athlone,” it added.

While he said the process is in its “infancy”, Parish Priest in St Peter and Paul's Parish Fr John Deignan described the recent consultation with parents of the three Connaught side schools recently as “a genuine listening process”.

“The Bishops and government want to hear from parents who have children in the schools selected for the pilot of the listening process,” he said.

Meetings took place in recent weeks where parents were asked for their views on Catholic patronage and were told what other versions would look like, should there be a change. However, Fr Deignan keenly stressed that no decisions have been made as of yet, and the parents and what they said in the consultation will determine the next step.

He emphasised that there is no “preconceived vision” of how the process ends or conclusions at this stage. “I think it's a good discussion to have. I think it's good that people have their say and their opinion is heard in the decision making process. It may bring major change, but it may not. Whatever the outcome of this will be where the parents lead it,” the parish priest stressed.

The process so far has involved meetings with members of Boards of Management, staff in the three schools and recently with parents in each of the schools, according to the Diocese of Elphin. “At the end of the process of consultation the facilitator will submit a report to the patron for their consideration. The patron will then engage further with the three school communities.”

That report based on the consultation to date is due to be complete by the end of December and is expected be circulated to all stakeholders.

A letter seen by the Westmeath Independent which was sent to parents by staff in one of the three westside schools expressed a “strong preference to retain and keep our Catholic ethos”.

St Mary's Parish in Athlone and the Diocese of Ardagh and Clonmacnois have been contacted for comment on the other school involved in the consultation process on the Leinster side of the town.

A spokesperson for the the Department of Education said the process, which is called the ‘Schools Reconfiguration for Diversity Process’ seeks to create an educational landscape that reflects the reality of Ireland’s increasingly diverse community.

Where a school transfers from the patronage of one patron to another, the school remains open with the same roll number and operating from the same school property. All state-funded primary schools follow a common national curriculum and are subject to the same rules and regulations, the department pointed out.