AQW 46433/11-15

Mr Stewart Dickson
Alliance Party
East Antrim

Tabled Date: 29/05/2015
Answered On Date: 09/06/2015
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister of Education, given the commitment to provide financial assistance to schools in formal intervention, as outlined in Every School is a Good School, why this has not been provided to Ashgrove Primary School to help them deal with the issues highlighted following their recent inspection.

Answer:

When a school enters formal intervention it is the responsibility of the school’s Board of Governors to prepare and implement an action plan to address the areas for improvement identified. In taking this work forward the school will be supported by the Education Authority and, in the case of catholic maintained schools, the CCMS. The action plan will identify the support and resources required to address the areas for improvement. The Education Authority will provide guidance and support through its Curriculum Advisory Support Service (CASS).

Schools in formal intervention do not automatically receive funding to assist them in addressing areas for improvement identified in an inspection report.

However, if it is identified that particular action(s) will require additional funding for resources or support beyond that provided by the school or the EA CASS then the EA can submit a request for such funding to the Department. Such requests are considered on a case by case basis and subject to the approval of a business case prepared by the EA and any subsequent bid for funding being successful.

The EA has advised that Ashgrove Primary School has not identified any significant need for additional financial assistance. However, the EA will be happy to meet with the school should they wish to discuss resource needs.