Last week, St Paul’s Bessbrook was awarded Flagship Status as a school which promotes excellence in inclusion and the quality of its provision. It is the first post primary school in the area to achieve such an award and is well deserved recognition for how the school celebrates diversity and promotes the idea of ‘Quality Education for All’, which is its motto.

To gain the award, St Paul’s had to demonstrate that ‘Inclusion has a School-wide impact and is sustainable’.

“An effective school must be an inclusive school. Gaining the Inclusion Quality Mark does not depend on the school’s attainment in exam results but instead it focuses on learning and achievement in its widest sense and looks at how schools see differences as opportunities for learning.” – IQM.

Under the guidance of Mrs Bridget McConville a whole school Self Evaluation exercise was carried out and submitted.

A two day assessment followed with Mr David Ryan interviewing a selection of people from all members of the school community; staff members from both teaching and non-teaching, governors, parents and most importantly the pupils. He made telephone interviews and even went to the local shops and the bus drivers to ask questions about the school and its values.

The result of his assessment is not just the IQM award but a Centre of Excellence Award which is usually a 3 year programme. He has quoted that our Pastoral System is ‘world class’. Everyone in St Paul’s is very proud to have been recognized in such a capacity and will continue with the programme in anticipation of achieving a Flagship Award.

Principal Mr Jarlath Burns paid tribute to all who make the school what it is; pupils, parents, community, the links with our feeder primary schools, its extra curricular provision, its unique Catholic ethos based around the inspiration of St Paul and its wonderful staff.  He also paid tribute to Mr Oliver Mooney his predecessor who he described as ‘one of the most inspirational people in education’.

St Paul’s will be presented with the award in the autumn.