The Church Education Society for Ireland

The Church Education Society was established in 1839 and aims to support Church of Ireland children in national schools under sole or joint Church of Ireland patronage by making grants available in various ways.  The Society is regulated by a Deed of Trust and governed by an elected executive committee.  The Society receives many requests for funding each year and tries to support as many as possible provided finance is available and the request itself falls within the terms of the Society’s Deed of Trust. Over the last 20 years or so, the Church Education Society has transformed itself into a significant supporter of religious education activities in Church of Ireland National Schools and of teachers in Church of Ireland schools pursuing educational management qualifications.

Over the course of each year: over 50 small primary schools under sole or joint Church of Ireland management receive grants of up to €600 each towards the purchase of non-consumable resources like religious education books, IT equipment and musical equipments; approximately eight bursaries are sanctioned to a maximum of €2500 each to teachers in Church of Ireland primary schools who wish to follow post graduate educational management courses which clearly demonstrate a leadership or mentoring component; the Past Students Association of the Church of Ireland College of Education is provided with a substantial grant towards the running of its annual conference; grant-aid is provided for Religious Education provision; other grants consistent with the aims and objectives of the Society are also considered and provided, including grants toward the publication of relevant publications. For further information please write to the Assistant Secretary, Jennifer Byrne, c/o Church of Ireland House, Church Avenue, Rathmines, Dublin 6, or e-mail ces@ireland.anglican.org.

Bursaries for Third Level Degree & Diploma Courses These bursaries are intended to promote the acquisition of third-level educational qualifications among teachers working in national schools under sole or joint Church of Ireland patronage in the Republic of Ireland. The Society hopes that by supporting teachers pursuing such courses, the educational expertise of these teachers, as well as their leadership and managerial skills, will be fostered and the standards of education in these schools enhanced.  To be considered for the award of a bursary, applicants must fulfil certain criteria.   The bursaries are not intended to support the acquisition of initial teacher education courses such as the B Ed, B Ed (Hons) and H Dip Ed (Primary).  A wide range of college and university courses may be eligible provided they demonstrate a clear and significant leadership, management and/or mentoring component.  For courses continuing for more than one year, subsequent years of study will only be considered for funding provided the same leadership, management and/or mentoring component is in evidence.  To be considered for an award, an applicant must be currently employed in a full-time teaching capacity in a recognised primary school or a recognised special school under sole or joint Church of Ireland patronage in the Republic of Ireland or on approved leave of absence from such a post (under the terms of Rule 116 of the Rules for National Schools) or on approved career break from such a post, and either intending to register as a student of a university or third-level college to pursue a course leading to the award of a primary degree other than Bachelor in Education or the Higher Diploma in Education (Primary) or equivalent or intending to register as a post-graduate student of a university or third-level college to pursue a course leading to the award of a diploma or a degree of master’s level or above. Bursaries will be awarded at the sole discretion of the Committee. The number of bursaries which the Society may offer is limited and in considering applications the Committee will have regard to the following criteria: courses must demonstrate a significant leadership, management and/or mentoring component the extent to which, in the opinion of the Committee, the course is germane to the work of serving teachers and principals in recognised primary or special schools the means of applicants. The maximum annual bursary which may be awarded to an individual is 50% of the tuition fees payable to the college or university to a maximum of €2,500. The maximum grant may be reduced if the level of approved bursaries exceeds the amount of funding available in any given year. Recipients of awards who have successfully completed one year of study may apply for a further bursary to assist with fees in the second or third years of the course provided that subsequent years of study continue to fulfil the criteria listed above. A maximum of three bursaries may be awarded to any individual.  Applications must be made well of advance of the registration date for the course, usually four months.  Information and an application form for a bursary is available by email request to ces@ireland.anglican.org.

Small Schools Scheme Small Schools are those under sole or joint Church of Ireland management with a Principal plus 1 classroom teacher at the start of the school year.  The closing date for applications is the end of January each year in respect of non-consumable educational resources purchased at the start of the relevant school year.  Application forms are available by email request to ces@ireland.anglican.org. A maximum annual grant of €600 applies. Full details of both of the above schemes are furnished by email to schools at the relevant time