Fund to tackle educational disadvantage

MINISTER for Education and Skills, Richard Bruton, launched the pilot phase of the School Excellence Fund (SEF) at St Vincent’s Girls’ National School, North William Street, in the city centre last week.

Ten clusters comprising over 35 urban and rural, pre-school, primary and post-primary schools have been invited to participate in a pilot phase of the new fund. 

Participating schools will explore new, innovative solutions to tackle educational disadvantage and improve learning outcomes for their students.

The fund will allow schools to trial creative interventions, for a period of three years, the intention being that the learning from successful approaches will be shared across the school sector.

Minister Bruton said the fund is designed to ensure that innovative approaches and proposals developed by schools will be supported and rewarded. 

“It is one of a number of steps we are taking to be the best at tackling educational disadvantage, and helping people to fulfil their potential, in Europe,” said Minister Bruton. 

“We want to give schools the opportunity to find out not just what works, but what works best. 

“Pilots such as the one being run by the North East Inner City cluster has the potential to be truly ground-breaking, as we work with children from pre-school age to improve their language skills, with wider implications for schools around the country.”

Local Senator James Reilly (FG) said he welcomed the inclusion of three Balbriggan schools in the announcement.

“Balbriggan is an exciting vibrant town with a young diverse demographic who present a wonderful human resource for the future of Fingal and who must be nurtured and supported to achieve to the best of their abilities and individual talents,” he said.