TRC release statement on Supreme Court Ruling
Transferor Representatives’ Council to act decisively once Education Minister Paul Givan issues Guidance following Supreme Court Ruling
The Rt Reverend Andrew Forster is Chair of the Transferor Representatives’ Council.
The Rt Reverend Andrew Forster, the Bishop of Derry & Raphoe and Chair of the Transferor Representatives’ Council on behalf of TRC wishes to express to all pupils, parents, teachers and governors that we stand with them in the uncertainty that this judgement has created.
The TRC welcomes the Dept of Education’s confirmation that it will issue prompt guidance regarding the implications of today’s UK Supreme Court decision.
The Transferor Representatives' Council (TRC) welcomes the statement from the Department of Education of Northern Ireland that it will issue urgent guidance for schools in respect of today’s judgement from the Supreme Court. Pupils, parents, teachers and governors need immediate certainty regarding the implications of the ruling in respect of the teaching of Religious Education and of collective worship in schools.
Bishop Forster, Chair of the Transferor Representatives’ Council said:
“We have been waiting for a long time for this ruling from the Supreme Court, but we are disappointed with the outcome. Today’s judgement raises many questions for our schools as we now move forward beyond the judgement of the Supreme Court. Pupils, parents, teachers and governors all need the guidance promised by the Department of Education as to the standing of the religious education curriculum and the place of collective worship in our schools. The TRC, which is recognised by the Department of Education as the body representing the Transferor Churches in matters relating to education and particularly school governance, will continue to build on the decades of work on behalf of our Churches and school communities."
ENDS
Notes to Editors
The TRC represents the interests of the Church of Ireland, Methodist Church in Ireland and the Presbyterian Church in Ireland in education issues in Northern Ireland and advocates on behalf of the three churches. Controlled schools are ‘church-related schools’ owing to the fact that in the 1930s, 40s and 50s, the three churches transferred their school buildings, pupils and staff into state control (hence the terms ‘transferor’ and ‘controlled’) on the understanding that the Christian ethos of these schools would be maintained in perpetuity. Between 1926 and 1947, the churches transferred approximately 500 schools to the government of Northern Ireland.
During the transfer process at the time, the Church leaders stressed that it was not simply buildings, which were being transferred, but pupils, and a concept of education directly informed and shaped by a Christian ethos. In return for transferring their schools into state control, the transferor churches were accorded statutory rights of representation on Boards of Governors.
The TRC overseas the appointment of over 1,500 governors to serve on the boards of controlled schools in Northern Ireland, who are known as ‘transferor governors’. The TRC works closely with statutory bodies and nominates four members to Education Authority. More information on its role and work can be found on its website: https://trc-churcheducation.org
Media contact
Issued by the Church of Ireland Press Office Duty mobile: Janet Maxwell +353 87 9484412