Community National Schools –
Your Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Community National School?
Community National Schools are new State operated primary schools which will come under the patronage of County Dublin VEC (and other VECs throughout Ireland).
Under a programme started in 2007, there are now five Community National Schools in the country (two in County Dublin) providing high quality primary education and personal life skills development for children of all beliefs (religious or not).
As you may know, the VECs already provide very high quality State run second level schools and colleges. We are now responsible for Community National Schools which are multi-belief and multi-denominational.
County Dublin VEC intends to apply for patronage of several new Community National Schools across the wider County Dublin Area. If you are interested in this vibrant and modern approach to primary education for your child, please fill out the Expression of Interest Form.
Community national Schools have a strong community focus. They welcome all children of the appropriate age from the local community.
The Community National Schools operated by the VEC have met with a very favourable response from parents.
It is the policy of the CNS model schools to respect, celebrate and recognise diversity in all areas of human life. Children are taught and encouraged to view diversity as something which reflects positive community values and a positive approach to life.
The schools encourage the children committed to their care to have a pride in what makes them different and a belief that difference, when respected and valued, gives vibrancy to the total school community and the wider community in which they live.
There is no prioritisation based on ability, language, nationality or creed. Community National Schools also do not have a clause in their admission policy making the intake of children with special education needs dependent on the furnishing of resources.
Community National Schools provide a multi-belief education programme. These multi-belief schools operate through an ethos of inclusivity and respect for all beliefs both religious and non-religious. They make a reasonable accommodation for the wishes of parents or guardians, within the school setting and within the school day.
Community National Schools recognise the wishes of parents to have their children receive religious education, or morality based education as an integral part of the school curriculum and within the school day.
Community National Schools are focused on quality of service provision, good governance and accountability to their local community.
For more information on our Community National Schools see this link
What is a school patron?
The school patron has responsibility for:
- The appointment and support of a Board of Management that reflects the requirements and interests of the local community surrounding the school.
- Defining and supporting the school’s characteristic spirit (ethos)
- Oversight of management, financial, administration and legal matters (the running of the school)
- Supervision of staff appointments in accordance with Department of Education & Skills regulations.
The patron of a school must be approved by the Minister for Education & Skills. The patron is the representative of the owners of a school and can be an individual or group, a Board of Trustees or a limited company.
Why should the VEC be appointed patron of a new primary school in my area?
We are a leading provider of high quality education and personal life skills development for children of all beliefs. We will welcome your interest in our Community National Schools and we will look forward to serving you, your children and your community in the years ahead.
VECs are democratic, transparent and openly accountable. They are State run bodies with decades of experience in the education of young people and adults.
The VECs provide modern, high quality State run second level schools and colleges and are piloting Community National Schools which are multi-belief, multi-denominational and have met with a very favourable response from parents.
The patron must be fully accountable to the community it serves and to the Department of Education & Skills). County Dublin VEC is a statutory body and our role and responsibilities are defined by legislation.
The VEC and its Boards of Management have a holistic approach to education which is based on partnership, inclusion, accessibility and respect for diversity, parental choice and equality.
Our Community National Schools have a strong community focus. They welcome all children of the appropriate age from the local community, providing high quality primary education and personal life skills development for children of all beliefs.
What is the RIGHT CHOICE?
Community National Schools provide the Right Choice for parents and children in communities throughout County Dublin. They are:
R - Respectful of Diversity
I - Inclusive
G - Government funded and State operated
H - Holistic, taking everything into account
T - Together with parents, acting in the child’s interests
C - Child centred
H - High quality
O - Open and accountable
I - Inspiring in their leadership of modern education
C - Community based
E - Educating for the 21st Century
Community National Schools are the right choice for your child’s primary education, personal growth, wellbeing and future skills development for life and living in modern Ireland.
