Galway and Roscommon Education and Training Board and Lifeways Ireland have announced that one of Galway City’s most successful national schools, which teaches using the Steiner pedagogy, is to transfer from its current patron Lifeways Ireland to the patronage of Galway and Roscommon Education and Training Board from the start of the 2019/2020 school year.
The school to be transferred is Galway Steiner National School, An Cimín Mór, Cappagh Road, Knocknacarra, Galway. The new arrangement will help provide a framework of support for the school, as well as enhancing the teaching and learning provided by the school.
Under the new patronage arrangement, the Steiner pedagogy in the school will be maintained. Lifeways Ireland will continue to advise the school in relation to Steiner pedagogy.
Commenting on the announcement, Pearse O’Shiel, Chairperson of Lifeways Ireland, said in the current climate, it is not possible for a voluntary body such as Lifeways to provide the broad range of necessary supports to the growing number of schools that wish to teach using Steiner methodology.
“Under the patronage of Galway and Roscommon Education and Training Board the school will be provided with the supports they require to develop and progress. The ethos of the Community National School model is very similar to the current ethos of the Steiner schools and we feel that the school will transition easily to the CNS model.
“Lifeways Ireland looks forward to working with GRETB in advising and supporting the school in the further development of their Steiner pedagogy,” he said.
Community National Schools are co-educational, multidenominational schools underpinned by the core values of excellence in education, care, respect, equality and community. The school will work closely with GRETB in further developing the ethos of the school.
The decision to transfer patronage follows an extensive period of review by the Board of Lifeways Ireland on its future role. The Board of Management of the school, as well as the parents and staff, supported the decision following a consultation process that involved the school community.
Welcoming today’s announcement, David Leahy, Chief Executive of Galway and Roscommon Education and Training Board said that this is an historic moment for the school and the ETB. “GRETB very much looks forward to working closely with the management of the school and with Lifeways Ireland to support the school in its transition to a Community National School and in the delivery of quality education using Steiner methodologies for which they have become justly renowned,” he said.
