Limerick and Clare Education and Training Board and Lifeways Ireland today announced that two of County Clare’s most successful national schools, which teach using the Steiner pedagogy, are to transfer from their current patron Lifeways Ireland to the patronage of Limerick and Clare Education and Training Board on 1st September 2019. The schools to be transferred are Mol an Óige, Ennistymon, and Raheen Wood, Scariff. The new arrangement will help provide a framework of support for the two schools, as well as enhancing the teaching and learning provided by the schools.
Under the new patronage arrangement the Steiner pedagogy in both schools will be maintained. Lifeways Ireland will continue to advise the schools in relation to Steiner pedagogy. Commenting on today’s announcement, Pearse O’Shiel, Chairperson of Lifeways Ireland, said: “In the current climate it is not possible for a voluntary body such as Lifeways to provide the broad range of necessary supports to the growing number of schools that wish to teach using Steiner methodology. Under the patronage of Limerick and Clare Education and Training Board the two schools will be provided with the supports they require to develop and progress.” He continued: “The ethos of the Community National School model is very similar to the current ethos of the Steiner schools and we feel that the schools will transition easily to the CNS model. Lifeways Ireland looks forward to working with the ETB in advising and supporting the schools in the further development of their Steiner pedagogy. Lifeways Ireland will also continue its work in the development of Steiner education and in the establishment of new schools that will have Steiner pedagogy as a key element of their curriculum.”
Community National Schools are co-educational, multidenominational schools underpinned by the core values of excellence in education, care, respect, equality and community. The two schools will work closely with their new patron in further developing the ethos of the schools. The decision to transfer patronage follows an extensive period of review by the Board of Lifeways Ireland on its future role. The Boards of Management of the schools, as well as parents and staff, supported the decision following a consultation process that involved each of the school communities.
Welcoming today’s announcement, George O’Callaghan, Chief Executive of Limerick and Clare Education and Training Board said: “This is an historic day for the schools and the ETB. Limerick and Clare Education and Training Board very much looks forward to working closely with the management of the schools and with Lifeways Ireland to support the schools in their transition to Community National Schools and in the delivery of quality education using Steiner methodologies for which they have become justly renowned.”
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