Bruton to provide extra help for children in disadvantaged schools

A series of targeted measures aimed at boosting outcomes for children in disadvantaged schools will feature in a new action plan under consideration by Minister for Education Richard Bruton.

Among the approaches likely to feature in the plans include plans to support school leadership and make greater use of school facilities for out-of-hours assistance.

Teachers’ groups have criticised cuts in education speeding over recent years, arguing that some of the most disadvantaged schools have been hardest hit.

However, Mr Bruton says improving outcomes for those who are less well-off will be a key priority of his ministry.

A number of pilot projects will help guide changes in approaches, such as improved supports for school leaders in disadvantaged schools.

Another targeted approach will include a new focus on teaching methodologies. There is evidence, say officials, that changing the way literacy is taught to children who struggle can achieve major improvements in results.

The plans will also explore ways in which the school facilities can be used to provide other State supports and services within the community, such as aftercare or homework clubs.

In consultation with the Minister for Children Katherine Zappone, there will be a greater use of home school community liaison, which has been shown to improve outcomes for vulnerable young people.

A spokesman said the results of pilot programmes will be carefully monitored before any decisions around expanding them into the wider education sector are considered.

Minister Bruton will today visit a primary school in north Dublin to lay out his initial plans to improve opportunities for children from disadvantaged areas.

The new plan - which will include an updated Deis (Delivering Equality of Opportunity in Schools) scheme - is part of what the Minister says is his aim to make tackling disadvantage a key priority over the coming years.

The Deis scheme, established in 2005, provides an increased level of State supports to over 800 schools in disadvantaged areas.

It is currently being reviewed after ten years in operation.

Speaking ahead of today’s announcement, Minister Bruton said ensuring children from disadvantaged schools had the best possible start had a crucial impact later in life.

“In few areas do we have more capacity to achieve our goal of a strong economy and a fair society than education,” he said.

By getting our system of supports for schools in disadvantaged areas right, Mr Bruton said we can improve life prospects of children such as increasing their chances of learning well in school, of going on to higher education and entering and remaining in the workforce.

“This is why I plan to make disadvantage a major theme of my ministry and why I plan in doing this to focus above all on improving outcomes for these children,” he said.