» Key Principles

» The Ethical Education Curriculum

» Development of this Ethos for Second Level Schools

Development of the above ethos for Second Level Schools is primarily a function of the patron body, Educate Together.  However, local emphasis will allow each school to serve their community in an appropriate manner.

Primary consideration to date has been placed on the issue of Choice, Diversity and Democracy.

Choice

Recalling relevant articles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights:

Article 26.3 – “Parents have a prior right to choose the kind of education that shall be given to their children.”

Article 26.2  - Education shall be directed to the full development of the human personality and to the strengthening of respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms.  It shall promote understanding, tolerance and friendship among all nations, racial or religious groups and shall further the activities of the UN for the maintenance of peace.

Learner Centred is also relevant to choice as Educate Together Schools are obliged by law to ensure all BOM decisions are taken with the children at  the centre or the welfare of the children as the prime motivation. (Educate Together Charter).

Diversity

Emphasising our Multi-denominational principle as quoted above and also strengthening this to include the issue of social integration as faced by the changing Ireland of today.

“Education is a powerful tool in the integration process” – OECD The Economic & Social Aspects of Migration 2003 Report.

Educational Integration is one of the measures in assessing social integration internationally.  Issues assessed include school performance, school drop-out rates, choice of schools, post secondary education attainment, interaction with students from receiving society and parent-teacher communication.

Educate Together Schools are the only schools with an Ethical Education Curriculum as outlined above.

Democratically Run

Active participation of parents is enabled by Board of Management, Patrons, and Teachers in the spirit of partnership.