IPPN

Published: 11 February 2004

The Irish Primary Principal's Network (I.P.P.N) will publish an interim report on the future of small schools in Ireland at their Annual Conference on Thursday. This research report, jointly undertaken with St. Patrick's College of Education, Drumcondra, examines a variety of options and possibilities that should enable smaller schools to thrive and prosper into the future.

This research document conclusively identifies that -

• The learning experience of children in small schools is comparable to that of children in larger schools.
  
• There are alternatives to amalgamations.
  
• International models provide proof that 'clusterings' can work.
  
• Small schools are an intrinsic part of the social fabric binding small communities together.

I.P.P.N has taken the initiative in this particular area due to the fact that no serious consideration has been given to the future of small schools - over 80% of schools in Ireland can be classed as small schools with the Principal Teacher having full time duties as well as administrative and management functions. In recent times it has become apparent that smaller schools are being allowed wither on the vine.
This report will be the first part of the most comprehensive research to date on this particular subject.

Larry Fleming and John Curran, PRO, IPPN.