Northern Ireland’s 50 state-controlled schools to get their own support body for the first time

There are almost 50 state-controlled secondary schools in Northern Ireland. The CSSC will mirror other sectoral support bodies already in existence by offering professional support and advocacy.

The Irish-medium, Catholic-maintained and integrated sectors all have bodies fighting their schools’ corners. It is the first time ever the North has had a support body for the state sector.

It had been expected to launch in April last year at the same time as the former five area boards were merged into the larger Education Authority. This was delayed, however.

The body will be led by a highly experienced educationalist, Barry Mulholland, who previously served as the chief executive of the Western Education and Library Board. Northern Ireland education minister Pater Weir says the creation of the CSSC is “historic” and an important step towards greater equality and fairness in education.