Potential school patrons warned against media battles

The patrons competing to take control of Catholic schools where parents want more choice for their children are being warned not to engage in ‘media battles’ for local support.

A strict code of practice is being drawn up by the Department of Education ahead of parental surveys next autumn in 44 areas where families have little or no choice but to send their children to a religious-run primary school.

It follows concerns about the process over the last two years when patrons have applied to run new schools being set up in areas of population growth. But in the latest exercise, where dozens of existing school facilities could be handed over by Catholic bishops to new patrons, Education Minister Ruairi Quinn wants to ensure a level playing field among those applying to take over.