Diocese of Elphin set to decide on possible patronage change

The Diocese of Elphin said it is “actively discussing the way forward” with the Department of Education on the possible transfer of patronage of schools on the Connaught side of the town, and it hoped that a “definitive decision can be made very shortly”.

It was responding to a query from the Westmeath Independent on progress since it emerged last December that three west side schools St Peter's NS, St Paul's NS and the Dean Kelly NS were engaging with the Department of Education about a potential change from the Catholic ethos.

Another school on the Leinster side, Cornamaddy NS, made quicker progress and has already opted to change to a multi-denominational ethos and is due to become a community national school from September, the first to do so in the Athlone area.

Prior to this there was no multi-denominational or non-denominational school in the Athlone urban area.

A facilitator was appointed in July 2022 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.

The Bishop of Elphin, who is the patron of the three Connaught schools, said at the time that due to ongoing dialogue about the future relationship of the three schools, he had agreed to a process of consultation with staff, parents, and other stakeholders to be undertaken by the Department's facilitator in order to plan what is best for the three in the future.

Meetings took place 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, the parish and diocese stressed earlier this year that no decisions have been made yet, and the process was in the early stages.

Asked for a progress report this week on what has happened in the interim, the Diocese of Elphin confirmed this week that the facilitator did deliver a report early in the summer which has been “broadly welcomed” by Bishop Kevin Doran, the current patron of St Paul's NS, St Peter's NS and Dean Kelly NS.

A brief diocesan statement sent to the Westmeath Independent added: “It had been agreed at the outset that if one of the three primary schools in West Athlone were to be divested, the implications for the other two schools would have to be taken into account as part of any agreement. For that reason, it was never envisaged that there would be any change in place by September 2023.

“The Diocese is actively discussing the way forward with the Department of Education and we hope that a definitive decision can be made very shortly,” it added.

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 curriculum and are subject to the same rules and regulations, the department emphasised.