The educate together network of schools

Abstract

For over 34 years Educate Together has been working with local communities to establish multi-denominational schools in the Republic of Ireland. A registered charity, Educate Together relies on small government grants and financial supports from individuals, companies and charitable trusts to deliver choice to parents and services to our growing network of schools. Today Educate Together operates 68 multi-denominational primary schools. Those figures represent just 2% of the primary schools in Ireland, as the vast majority of schools are denominational, with 96% of them controlled by either the Catholic or Protestant Churches. This is out of sync with the profile of Ireland's diverse population. In many parts of the country, there are no Educate Together schools available. In areas where they have been established, they quickly become oversubscribed. This lack of choice creates situations where many families are forced to send their children to Catholic schools because there is no other option. In addition to opening and operating primary schools, Educate Together is actively involved in the establishment of Educate Together second-level (secondary) schools. In September 2014, the first three Educate Together second-level schools will open in Ireland, in Dublin and Co Louth.