Strategic Area Plan: Primary Provision
Introduction
In his statement to the Assembly, on 26 September 2011, the Minister of Education, John O’Dowd MLA, highlighted the need to move forward with the implementation of the Sustainable Schools Policy and the process of strategic planning on an area basis. The Minister commissioned the Education and Library Boards, working in close conjunction with the Council for Catholic Maintained Schools and engaging extensively with other school sectors, to develop collective strategic plans on an area basis.
Review the Terms of Reference.
Draft Area Plans for Primary provision were published for consultation on the Education and Library Board web sites on 19 March 2013. The draft Area Plans detail proposals which will develop a network of viable and sustainable schools capable of delivering high quality education to meet the needs of all the children and young people in the area, in line with Department of Education policies.
Review the draft area plans.
The Minister has encouraged everyone with an interest in education to consider the proposals in the draft Area Plans and to make their views known through the consultation process before he makes any final decision on the future shape of primary education provision. The Minister has encouraged everyone to think about the needs of children both now and in the future as opposed to the needs of individual institutions.
Responses to consultation must be received no later than 30 June 2013. The Education and Library Boards welcome responses from the whole community on the draft Area Plans for Primary provision. Following the close of the consultation period, responses will be considered and final strategic area plans will be submitted to the Minister.