All,
Out of completeness (knowing this has already been shared by email), I have attached below an exerpt from the Education Minister's response to the EQIA consultation. I think it is fair to say that as a collective group of parents and schools we've managed our way to obtaining some semblance of security for our children and their schools.
I would imagine there is still some clarification around how this position is or may be protected for future years so if anyone has information that can be shared, I'll happily publish.
Final Blog reminder - if you are keen to pressure the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister, you will need to do so on or before the 24th March (this Wednesday!).
Perpetuating the plagiarism brand of blogging.. Regent have a series of templates you could follow in addition to where they need to be sent.. follow the link
Perpetuating the plagiarism brand of blogging.. Regent have a series of templates you could follow in addition to where they need to be sent.. follow the link
Stuck in England, where the debate on Education is more one of whether the Cameron's next child will go Public or not... work distractions prevent me from contributing as I had been so plagiarism is the greatest form of flattery and all that... links below (credit to Down and Regent blogs.. follow the links)
Articles in todays Belfast Telegraph
The leader on £2m going to Irish Medium Schools is here.Margaret Ritchie comments on Ruane's attack on Prep schools here.
Response by the Equality Commission
Attached is the consultation response from the Equality Commission. Given that the Min Ed's argument is based on Equity, the comment in here is important. Read (between the lines) and enjoy.SEELB response to consultation
RHS have received the SEELB response to the consultation. It is published here. In summary, the SEELB is clear that:The Department’s mooted target date for the withdrawal of funding is September 2010. The Board considers the mooted timetable unrealistic, undeliverable and unworkable. Its imposition will have a significant adverse impact on:-
1. Pupils attending the preparatory departments;
2. Parents of pupils attending the preparatory school;
3. Teaching and non teaching staff employed in the preparatory departments;
4. Other schools in the Board’s area;
5. The Board’s budget;
6. The Department’s school budget.
Do remember that the SEELB is responding to the question that is posed. There is always more to it. We will explain some of this at our next parents meeting.
The DUP have secured a debate in the Assembly on Monday 15th March relating to the issue of Preparatory School funding .
Folks,
A point made last night but thought I'd repeat it on the blog.
PLEASE reply to the assessment if you have not done so, TODAY.
PLEASE make it personal to your circumstance and remember email is just as good as post.
Contact details can be found here: http://denicffreview.blogspot.com/2010/02/reminder-submit-your-response-to.html
If you have any reason/desire for anonymity please remember to express this in your communication!!
A point made last night but thought I'd repeat it on the blog.
PLEASE reply to the assessment if you have not done so, TODAY.
PLEASE make it personal to your circumstance and remember email is just as good as post.
Contact details can be found here: http://denicffreview.blogspot.com/2010/02/reminder-submit-your-response-to.html
If you have any reason/desire for anonymity please remember to express this in your communication!!
I've extracted the published answers to a number of (what I believe to be) relevant questions posed in the Assembly and published this morning. You can follow the link directly here or continue reading below.
Shared this a day or so ago, but wanted to maintain the blog..
(Saturday 27th Feb)
Will try and rationalise what is being said tomorrow (later today) but wanted to let you know that Ian has published an audio transcript of both one facet (Jonathan Bell) of their meeting as well as the full blown version of the meeting held by Regent House's BoG on Thursday.
Full audio can be found here: http://rhsprepfunding.blogspot.com/2010/02/full-audio-of-25th-feb-parents-and.html
The meeting starts with a less than enthusiastic point made (by Roy McFerran, Chairman of Regent House Board of Governors) that parents may leave none the wiser but the meeting provided insight into position and activities!!
(Saturday 27th Feb)
Will try and rationalise what is being said tomorrow (later today) but wanted to let you know that Ian has published an audio transcript of both one facet (Jonathan Bell) of their meeting as well as the full blown version of the meeting held by Regent House's BoG on Thursday.
Full audio can be found here: http://rhsprepfunding.blogspot.com/2010/02/full-audio-of-25th-feb-parents-and.html
The meeting starts with a less than enthusiastic point made (by Roy McFerran, Chairman of Regent House Board of Governors) that parents may leave none the wiser but the meeting provided insight into position and activities!!
I couldn't find a copy of the Spectator earlier this afternoon but I did find a funding-related article published on their website.
Follow this link for the article
Follow this link for the article
Much of what occurs within the Assembly and is presented by ministers has not received any focus on this blog. We've searched what is published by the house and its representatives and detailed it below:
Reinforcing the note all Cygnet House parents should have received from the school today, it is vital that each family takes the opportunity to submit a response to the Department of Education. Please respond regardless of what other correspondence you may have sent to ministers, MP's or MLA's.
Importantly, focus on 'Equality' and the impact upon your child - try and focus upon your specific circumstance.
Importantly, focus on 'Equality' and the impact upon your child - try and focus upon your specific circumstance.
A small representative group of Cygnet House parents will be meeting with one of the UUP MLAs tomorrow at Stormont.
I'll update this post with any relevant information tomorrow:
Update (23/2):
I'll update this post with any relevant information tomorrow:
Update (23/2):
Post replies here (as comments) relating to communications with the MLA/MP/Education Board
(received by Glynis)
(received by Glynis)
Note the responses are from DUP and UUP, no responses from SDLP or Alliance.
John McCallister – Letter passed to John and he will take appropriate action.
Lady Hermon – received confirmation that she received the letter and is taking action.
Peter Weir – letter received and DUP updated
Alex Easton – looking into the issue and will provide an update
I'll use this post as the basis for the documentation parents have identified, created or have been provided with. (I'll maintain it with anything of consequence).
Petition: In case you missed the prompt on the Blog - Sign it here
Please share with parents of other Prep school pupils
Cygnet House Questions:
The document containing what we know, as well as questions arising from these facts can be found here. It also contains summarised info from the DENI consultation papers
Contact Information for MLAs, MP's and the Education Committee:
Contact details pertaining to those MLA's and MP's that we ought to be lobbying can be found here
Example Letters and Correspondence:
Example Letter crafted by Glynis -
Petition: In case you missed the prompt on the Blog - Sign it here
Please share with parents of other Prep school pupils
Cygnet House Questions:
The document containing what we know, as well as questions arising from these facts can be found here. It also contains summarised info from the DENI consultation papers
Contact Information for MLAs, MP's and the Education Committee:
Contact details pertaining to those MLA's and MP's that we ought to be lobbying can be found here
Example Letters and Correspondence:
Example Letter crafted by Glynis -
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