Boards and Agencies of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland

The Board of Education

Convener: Rev. Robert Herron
Secretary: Rev. Trevor Gribben

The Board of Education acts in the name of and in accordance with the instructions of the General Assembly in all matters affecting education in Ireland and has particular concern for the Church's interest in the various branches of education, from primary to university standard both in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. The Board also seeks to promote the religious education of school children generally. While not having any Assembly Committees, the Board operates through a number of ad-hoc committees and panels dealing with specific issues.

• In Northern Ireland there is very close working co-operation with the Church of Ireland and Methodist Churches through the Transferors Representative's Council (TRC). The Board Convener and Secretary both serve on the TRC Executive Committee with much of the day to day work being carried forward by the Education Secretaries of the three Churches. Through the TRC, the Board contributes to local and regional bodies responsible for the government of schools - and also with overseeing changes in schools' curricula, not least in religious education.
• In the Republic, the Board seeks to support the ministers who are responsible for the management of Protestant and Community School under the National School system.