The Board of Education of the General Synod has expressed its deep concern for the welfare of principals, teachers, staff and governors due to the state of funding in education in Northern Ireland. Proposing the report of the Board of Education (NI) at General Synod on Friday, the Revd Catherine Simpson highlighted a recent report which stated that 91% of teachers, including principals, were stressed, anxious and near burnout.

“The current political system means education in Northern Ireland has largely become a political football,” Revd Simpson said. “Teachers find themselves overburdened, with a number of concerns including paperwork, parental expectation and challenging pupil behaviour. Workload, special educational needs, and extremely limited funds are putting immense pressure on those running our schools. Add to that the social media world we live in, which is impacting young people and their parents alike, and our schools are in a fragile position.”

She added that the board was concerned at the increasing issues of mental health affecting all connected with the education system, from head teachers to the youngest pupil. They were calling on clergy to support their local schools and encouraged their church communities to support them.

The board is working with the Department of Education on the issues raised by the Supreme Court’s decision on JR87 on the rights of a child and how religion is taught in schools. Ms Simpson sought members’ prayers for all working on the review process of the Religious Education curriculum, particularly Dr Peter Hamill as he represents the Church of Ireland.

The board welcomed the publication of a Charter from the Transferor Representatives’ Council which gave clear guidance to visitors on taking assemblies and classroom lessons, she said. The board also acknowledged clergy and parishioners who served as volunteers on their local school Boards of Governors, and Revd Simpson added that it was vital to remain an integral part of local schools.

She expressed sadness at the closure of the Drelincourt School in Armagh but highlighted the board’s closer links with Seagoe Primary School, the last remaining Church of Ireland school in Northern Ireland.

She outlined allocations from the board’s fund to a number of schools and the board’s hosting of the Annual theological Lecture at Queen’s University Belfast which looked at issues around assisted dying.

The report of the Board of Education was seconded by Canon Harry Gilmore who focused on matters of education in the Republic of Ireland. He highlighted the 50th anniversary of Boards of Management in primary schools in the Republic. He said that a commemorative plaque had been provided for each school in the Republic.

Canon Gilmore noted that Dr Ken Fennelly was representing the Church of Ireland at the National Convention on Education, the first meeting of which took place last week and which operated to a broad agenda. He said it would be interesting to see how the Department of Education deals with the issue of finance. He welcomed the appointment of Christine Cody to support Patronage. Canon Gilmore highlighted the small schools’ initiative in Donegal. He flagged a survey which would go out to schools shortly and an increase in the core funding grant.

Archbishop Michael Jackson (Dublin and Glendalough) who was in the chair, said that the Convention was an interesting concept. He said of the 160 members, there were four from a faith based background, among them Dr Ken Fennelly. He urged all with responsibility within a Church of Ireland national school to respond to the survey so that positive and confident information from our sector could be presented to the organisers of the convention.

Stephen Trew (Down and Dromore) spoke of the stresses that teachers faced. “Teachers are very much feeling the difficulties and stress of their jobs at the minute”. He appealed to clergy and members of Boards of Governors to take the welfare of the teachers, principals and staff of schools very seriously. He said education in Northern Ireland in a Christian context was “under attack”.

The Revd Adrian Dorian (Down and Dromore) also spoke of the mental health challenges throughout schools on teachers and pupils. He said that the clergy and governors and people of the Church of Ireland could bring empathy to schools. He said it was “missional work” and that as schools flourished, communities flourished, and as communities flourished, churches flourished. He urged people to pray for and encourage those in our schools and all who served in any way.

Archdeacon Peter Thompson (Armagh) said that the judgement of the Supreme Court had brought a lot of anxiety to clergy. He also highlighted the importance of clergy bringing gifts and tallents into schools.

Canon John Clarke (Meath and Kildare) thanked Ken Fennelly and Susan Ellis, as well as the patrons, for their support of education. He paid tribute to all involved in the day-to-day running of Church of Ireland schools. He was grateful, also, for the increased capitation fund. He commended the principals and assistant principals and expressed gratitude to the RB for its support for patrons. He said he was sure the majority of schools ran smoothly but there were some situations which he described as toxic and unsustainable. He wondered if there could be funding made available for professional support in times of difficult situations.

Bishop Ferran Glenfield (Kilmore, Elphin and Ardagh) said he was chair of Wilson’s Hospital School, which he observed was probably the best-known school in Ireland, for the wrong reasons. Yet, he said, representatives of the school were at General Synod and that was good news. He said it was good news because Christ was made known in the school. Christianity was alive and living in Wilson’s Hospital School, he said, thanking people for their prayerful support for the school. He thanked all who stood with Wilson’s Hospital School. As patron of 20 “very small national schools”, he said that the Church was doing great things in schools. He paid tribute to the sterling work of Dr Fennelly and Susan Ellis.

Archbishop Jackson said around 1,345 volunteers work in national schools in terms of boards of management and he called for a round of applause for their dedication.