AQO 1853/22-27

Ms Paula Bradshaw
Alliance Party
South Belfast

Tabled Date: 27/03/2025
Answered On Date: 07/04/2025
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister of Education to outline his Department's policy on supporting schools located across split sites.

Answer:

The Department’s dual site policy is set out in the Common Funding Scheme (CFS).

Eligibility for dual site funding is determined by the Education Authority (EA) based on the criteria set out in the CFS.

Schools must meet all three criteria as follows:

two or more distinct campuses between which normal travel by means of the public highway is required;

class teaching and learning must take place on both sites; and

a minimum of 15% of the total pupil enrolment must be based on each of the sites.

In operating these arrangements, the Funding Authority will advise the school on what it sees as the most efficient manner of operation across the split site, taking account of local circumstances such as the nature and phase of schooling, timetabling and transfer difficulties for pupils/teachers, together with any associated costs.