Broad welcome for patronagere form proposals

Plans to overhaul the system of religious patronage in primary schools was broadly welcomed yesterday, with many claiming it was merely the start of a process of change.

The report by the Advisory Group of the Forum on Patronage and Pluralism in the Primary Sector makes a number of recommendations, including a divesting of patronage from existing religious patrons to begin in 47 catchment areas. It also calls for a preference register for parents with pre-school children and register of patrons, and makes a number of recommendations for stand-alone schools.

While many groups on either side of the debate welcomed the report — the result of six months of work by the group — there is likely to be further debate as its recommendations are discussed.