Chair’s Report
The Fund is now focusing on developing its challenge function and will use the opportunities presented by the continuous demand for more integrated education, a locally elected power-sharing executive and the optimism of a more politically stable and peaceful Northern Ireland to challenge the current status quo in our society with regard to education.
To achieve its overarching aim to make integration, not separation, the norm in Northern Ireland’s education system, the IEF will work in three distinct areas of endeavour: Effective Funding Programmes, Advocacy and Major Gift Fundraising.
Effective Funding Programmes – Grant making and policy
Since the launch of the IEF’s first Development Plan in 1998 over £13 million has been given out in grants, of which £1.4 million was in the period 2008 to 2010, mainly through the two programmes: Supporting And Developing Integrated Education (SADIE) and Promoting A Culture of Trust (PACT).
The SADIE grant programme has supported projects in integrated and transforming schools since 2005. New programmes to support our current strategy Towards Tomorrow Together, will replace SADIE. The launch of the new programmes was to take place in the autumn of 2009 but was postponed for 12 months as a site was urgently needed for Rowandale Integrated Primary School, a thriving and rapidly expanding school in Moira: without a suitable site the school faced almost certain closure. The Northern Ireland Council for Integrated Education (NICIE) asked the IEF to step in and purchase the site directly and the IEF agreed – this had a serious impact, however, on the unrestricted funds which the IEF had been using for its grant programmes. This has therefore been a period of consolidation rather than growth in terms of grants made through unrestricted funds, with the emphasis on completion of projects already being funded.
The IEF was very grateful, therefore, to be in a position to continue to support the PACT programme and other specific projects through restricted donations.
The PACT programme is open to all schools in Northern Ireland, whether integrated or non-integrated, for projects based in Northern Ireland. PACT enables schools to work together in a manner that recognises context, and the ability of teachers to create opportunities at a local level. In order to be considered for a grant, schools must meet the challenge of forming a partnership with one or more schools and devising a project which will both promote a culture of trust and develop paths of reconciliation through education. PACT 9 and 10 were running throughout 2009/10 and in February 2010 the next round of PACT, for projects to be carried out in the following academic year, was also launched.
Other specific projects were funded through restricted donations, for example from The Irish American Partnership for the development of the library facilities at the five most recently transformed integrated schools; from the Open Society Foundation for projects designed to welcome “newcomers” (children and parents from ethnic minorities) into integrated schools; and from the Australian Ireland Fund and the Sir Warwick Fairfax Trust toward additional resource units at a number of integrated schools. The Carson Awards are also funded by a restricted donation, from Frank and Tony Carson who are long-standing, active supporters of integrated education and are committed to supporting the creative talents of young people.
Parents throughout Northern Ireland continue to demand an integrated choice for their children’s education. Last year, parents voted in favour of transformation at Ballymoney, Fort Hill and Crumlin Primary Schools and Parkhall College and all these schools were awarded grants through the SADIE Support for Transformation Programme. The proposals for three of the four school listed were approved by the Education Minister in time for September 2009 and Crumlin PS subsequently received approval for September 2010, driving up the number of places in integrated schools across Northern Ireland.
Growth – The Facts
In 1992, when the IEF was established, there were 3,408 pupils attending 18 integrated schools.
By the time the IEF launched its first Development Plan in September 1998, 11,910 children had places in 43 integrated schools.
By September 2009, at the start of our new 5 year plan, the number of integrated schools had further increased, to 61, and the total number of pupils in integrated schools had increased by over 75% (8,998) from 11,910 to 20,908.
The actual number of children wanting a place in an integrated school was even higher but, sadly, because of insufficient places approximately 650 children were turned away from integrated schools in 2009/10 and in many areas there is no integrated provision at all – this is simply not acceptable. Significant growth is still required in the number of places available at every level in order to have integrated education available for all those who want it.
The accomplishments of integrated schools are well documented. Exam results at integrated colleges, among other achievements in the sector, attest to the success of integrated education provision both at whole school and individual level. It is not surprising then that each year more parents seek the integrated alternative – an educational choice, at all age levels, which seeks to ensure that a child-centred education in an all-ability school delivers for its pupils and parents.
However, in a few cases, fledgling integrated schools have been unable to continue and, despite the best efforts of everyone involved, the demographic challenges facing Armagh Integrated College and Clogher Valley Integrated Primary School sadly led to their closure in 2009/10. Whilst Armagh IC had conditional approval from the Department of Education (DE) it closed before it had secured full government funding. Clogher Valley IPS had not secured conditional approval and the IEF had funded it as an independent school for three years. The closure of the schools caused great sadness and I would like to thank everyone for all their efforts during those very difficult times.
Advocacy Work – Engaging at a political, educational and personal level
The IEF acknowledges that the sustained growth of integrated education will be linked to the success with which the movement communicates the societal benefits, academic excellence and economic good sense which integrated schools offer. The audience for this message includes not only the families who are seeking the best preparation for their children for life in a culturally diverse society, but also the politicians, the planners and other key decision makers. A working group has been set up by the IEF to oversee the advocacy work being carried out.
Interesting discussions took place during the last year as advocates of integrated education sought and found common ground on many education issues with local and national politicians as well as diplomats of international standing.
Communicating with existing and prospective donors about the continuing need for financial support also remains crucial, particularly at this stage of political development and societal change in Northern Ireland. The IEF has secured some of the funding needed to develop advocacy more fully, enabling the creation of a dedicated team from April 2010.
We fully appreciate the support, advice and encouragement received.
Major Gift Fundraising – Support for the strategy for growth
The key objective of the Major Gift Fundraising Campaign is to raise the necessary finance to provide a secure foundation from which the IEF can respond to the demand for the development and growth of integrated education and support innovative and meaningful sharing projects across the traditional educational divide, as well as to carry out advocacy work amongst parents, political representatives and key influencers. The IEF is completely dependent on fundraising to support its strategy, Towards Tomorrow Together, and costs are likely to be in the region of £20 million over the next five years. The success of the Fund’s work is therefore, to a large extent, dependant on the success of the Major Gift Fundraising Campaign.
The redoubtable Baroness May Blood, the Campaign Council, the Fundraising Volunteer Teams, the IEF staff, my fellow Trustees and I all work closely together to meet our annual targets. Many events have been organised over the last year, both to raise funds and to raise awareness of the role of integrated education in helping to encourage shared neighbourhoods and promote understanding and trust.
The support received from integrated schools this year has been outstanding, whether it was by taking part in fundraising events or holding their own; providing wonderful photographs to bring our publications and website to life, or welcoming supporters into the schools so that they can see integrated education in action – we are extremely grateful and would like to thank pupils, staff and parents.
Financial review
In the financial year 2009/10 I am delighted to say that the IEF received £945,245 to support our work and we are immensely grateful to all those who contributed; a truly extraordinary achievement given the ongoing difficult financial situation. As well as funding, the IEF also benefitted enormously from the time and effort given so unstintingly by our many supporters and volunteers – their input is essential to our work.
During this period we were winding down our old grant programme, SADIE, both because of demands being put on our unrestricted funds and in preparation for the launch of new programmes this autumn, so overall grant expenditure was lower than in previous years except in the PACT programme which has been continuing to reach out to schools throughout Northern Ireland.
However, whilst our expenditure exceeded our income by a small amount (£6,970 was required from reserves compared to £156,728 in the previous year) our overall reserves show a fall of £1.25 million because of the Fund’s withdrawal from the Club Bank loan facility for DE approved integrated schools. The £1.25 million had been provided by the Department and used as gearing for the loans taken out by NICIE to purchase sites, including a site for the now closed Armagh IC, and carry out capital works for approved schools. The collapse of the property market, which has impacted on so many charities and businesses, large and small, led to the Fund mandating £1.25 million to the banks in permanent reduction of NICIE’s indebtedness to the banks in relation to the Armagh loan, and as full and final settlement of all of the IEF’s obligations as Guarantor. Further details and background are provided in the Treasurer’s Report.
The Fund’s reserves now stand at £2.145 million, of which £1 million is unrestricted. It is through unrestricted reserves that the Fund is able to support parent groups and schools which do not receive funding from government and so it is vital to have a robust and substantial ‘safety net’ – increasing the unrestricted reserves is an essential part of the fundraising campaign.
Monitoring and Evaluation
Monitoring and evaluation continue to play a key role in the IEF’s work. As well as internal monitoring and controls, grant making and fundraising in particular are externally evaluated on a regular basis by evaluators experienced in these different fields. Feedback from end users and interviews with staff, together with the evaluators’ observations and recommendations on policy and practices are used in order to ensure alignment with the Fund’s strategic plan and identify areas for improvement.
As part of the ongoing cycle of monitoring and evaluation of the Fundraising Campaign, an external evaluation is scheduled for next year.
The IEF’s Advocacy Strategy will be launched in 2010/11 therefore the two external evaluations which have been planned for this work will not take place until 2011/12 and 2012/13.
Looking ahead
By the end of 2009/10, the first year of the IEF’s five year plan, great progress had been made with the essential ground work in that sufficient funds had been secured to firm up existing plans and recruit key staff – the next 12 months will see these plans begin to bear fruit.
A series of events will take place to both raise funds and engage with existing and new supporters. Opportunities for challenge or matched funding will be explored and funds from existing pledges will be received enabling the grant making and advocacy work of the Fund to develop.
Areas for growth in integrated provision, where there is a demonstrable need, will be identified and new grant programmes will be launched to support this growth.
The IEF’s support for shared education will also continue with a Reception at Stormont to announce the grants awarded under PACT 11 and continued fundraising for a new round of the PACT programme.
The Fund will commission two pieces of Northern Ireland based research – the first will be an analysis of current integrated, shared or collaborative education provision, and the second will examine the economic case for shared education. The outcomes from these pieces of research will be shared at a public symposium. There will also be greater community engagement through traditional face-to-face meetings and debate as well as expanding the IEF’s presence on a number of social networking sites.
Elections to the Northern Ireland Assembly are held every four years. The next elections will be held in 2011 so this is a key year for engaging with politicians and the public to ensure that sharing and collaboration in education are high on the political agenda.
Given that Northern Ireland is facing what are likely to be the most severe cuts to public expenditure in the last 50 years, anyone who is trying to balance the education budget must want to see resources being used both efficiently and appropriately to ensure quality provision. We currently have an opportunity to reconfigure the education system into one which is both affordable and which recognises the changing attitudes of parents who value the progress being made toward peace and want the shared future which can sustain that peace for their children and grandchildren.
The Fund is working to help bring about long-term educational change – the goal is Integration not Segregation. In a shared future there will not be one kind of school for “us” and another for “them” – children will learn to trust and respect each other while they are learning together.
Thank you for your encouragement, feedback and continued support which are essential to the work of the Fund and immensely appreciated as we move forward. I know I speak for a dedicated team, for incredible supporters and donors, when I say we believe the children deserve a future which was denied or difficult for their parents.
We challenge integrated schools to respond to the vision they represent, we challenge DE to respond to a different perspective and we challenge our elected politicians to deliver for the future, not represent the past.
