The three Churches transferred most of their schools into state control – hence the terms ‘transferor’ and ‘controlled’ – in return for assurances regarding the Christian ethos of schools and a continued role in their governance.
The Transferor Representatives’ Council represents the Church of Ireland, Presbyterian Church in Ireland and Methodist Church in Ireland in all matters of education in Northern Ireland. The TRC is made up of 11 representatives nominated by the three churches.
The controlled sector is the largest education sector accounting for 49% of all Northern Ireland’s schools, including 63 nursery schools, 380 primary schools and 69 post-primary schools. Controlled schools are open to children of all faiths and none, which brings a rich diversity and inclusive ethos reflecting the many different communities which they serve in today’s society.
In January of this year the minister was the key note speaker at PCI’s one-day conference ‘Talking Education’. You can also find more information on the TRC and its work here.
Photo: Dr Andrew Brown, TRC Vice Chair, Mark Baker, Chief Executive of the Controlled Schools’ Support Council, with Education Minister, Michelle McIlveen MLA, Dr Peter Hamill, TRC Secretary and TRC Chair, Rosemary Rainey OBE.