Business as usual for Dalriada Prep

Following weeks of uncertainty regarding the future funding of Prep. Schools in Northern Ireland, the Minister for Education, Catriona Ruane finally announced a one third cut in funding for Prep. Schools in her annual education budget statement released on Thursday, April 22.

Due to the delay in the announcement, local rumours were circulating that Dalriada Prep, the only Prep. School in the North Eastern Education and Library Board, was about to shut.

However, in a statement to the Times, Headmaster, Tom Skelton reassured parents that it was 'business as usual' explaining that since the Minister's announcement 'four new pupils have applied for admission'.

He continued: "It's business as usual at Dalriada Prep. Dept. While we are disappointed at the reduction in funding, the Department of Education will continue to fund Prep. Schools by 20%. We can now plan our school budget accordingly.

"The news also comes as a welcome relief to parents at a time of economic uncertainty. Indeed, following the announcement, four new pupils have applied for admission to Dalriada Prep. in September".

Mr. Skelton concluded: "Dalriada Prep. Dept. offers a first class academic education, outstanding pastoral care and a tremendous range and quality of extra-curricular activities".

Speaking after her announcement Ms Ruane said her budget allocations involved "difficult decisions" and while overall funding is up by 1.9 per cent, she had to find savings of 74m.

The Department has identified savings of 51.7m in current expenditure and 22m earmarked for capital spending.

Among the plans detailed in the budget are extra funding for primary schools and an extension of the criteria for free school meals as well as the cut to prep school funding.

From September, prep schools will see their Government funding per pupil slashed by one third from 808 to 533.

Proposals to cut all funding to prep schools were put out to public consultation earlier this year where a resounding 80 per cent of respondents strongly opposed the plan.

Ms Ruane said her position on this issue "has always been that funding of preparatory departments is an inequitable use of public money".

"I have given conscientious consideration to the responses to the EQIA and recognise that ending the funding completely may cause difficulties for parents and possible disruption in some schools," she explained.

"I have therefore decided to continue funding preparatory departments, but at a reduced level."

Any parent wanting to find out more about what the Dalriada Prep. has to offer should contact the school - telephone 028 27663066; email [email protected]