In line with the values of our Charter, we have developed a model of education based on the founding intention and the life of blessed Edmund Rice. Care for the disadvantaged and vulnerable, a strong opposition to poverty and injustice, fostering of leadership and a deep commitment to the Catholic faith are characteristics of an Edmund Rice school.
Our schools promote equality of access and participation – in other words, children of any faith, or none, at every level of ability, of any nationality or ethnic grouping are all cherished in our schools given the opportunity to be the best they can be. Our schools recognise the uniqueness of each individual in caring communities where holistic development is nurtured. Enrolment processes are open and transparent and the highest educational, developmental and pastoral standards apply in all our schools.
In addition to the provision of high standards of excellence in teaching and learning, our schools uphold a strong cultural and sporting tradition. Inspired by the five key elements of the Edmund Rice Charter our schools are responding to a changing world. We aim to develop leaders of the future who will work in partnership together to promote social justice, human rights and care for the environment and who will look after themselves and others equally and be inspirational citizens.
Our Charter
The Charter sets out a framework designed to enable Catholic education in the Edmund Rice tradition to thrive and grow into the future. Each school community in our network is invited to put the Charter into practice, taking account of its own unique circumstances and traditions. The values in the Charter came from the schools. Through a process of reflection and sharing the school partners reached a consensus on what comprises the heart and soul of an Edmund Rice school.
Inspired by the Charter we respond to the needs of a changing world. We ensure that our schools continue to adapt and re define themselves, while remaining faithful to our mission and founding vision. Faithful to the church and inspired by Edmund Rice’s vision, we ensure the future of our schools as Christian communities of learning and teaching.
The five key elements of the Edmund Rice Schools Trust Charter are:
- Nurturing faith, Christian spirituality and Gospel-based values
- Promoting partnership
- Excelling in teaching and learning
- Creating a caring school community
- Inspiring transformational leadership.
Our schools promote equality of access and participation – in other words, children of any faith, or none, at every level of ability, of any nationality or ethnic grouping are all welcome in our schools. All of our schools are encouraged to recognise the uniqueness of each individual in caring communities where holistic development is nurtured.
As Trustees we appoint and nominate Boards of Management to run our schools. We help these Boards through training and a rolling programme of advice and support.
We also advise and support our Principals, Deputy Principals and staff through Conferences, Cluster meetings, training and induction courses.
Our Network promotes a strong sense of belonging and cooperation. We believe a great strength of our Network is this sense of belonging and consistently high levels of support and guidance given to our Principals and Boards of Management.
Our main object is to ensure and foster the advancement of education and to further the aims and purposes of Catholic education in the Edmund Rice tradition. To enable us to do this we encourage and expect all our community to engage with us, and to assist us to improve and expand our service to young people.
The Edmund Rice Schools Trust is a vibrant schools Network that is developing and supporting Catholic education throughout Ireland today.