Principals from the Ministerial Taskforce Call for Action on Controlled Schools Consultation
School leaders who participated in the Ministerial Taskforce on support for controlled schools have issued an urgent call to action urging all controlled school principals, governors, and the wider school community to respond to a critical consultation on the future of the sector.
Joint letter from Principals
The Taskforce, established in September 2024, was advised by principals from across Northern Ireland's controlled sector to develop proposals addressing long-standing challenges in support arrangements.
Working alongside the Department of Education (DE) and the Education Authority, these school leaders identified the need for strategic leadership and focused, equitable support for controlled schools.
Following the Taskforce's recommendations, the Department of Education launched a consultation proposing a two-phased approach:
- Phase 1: Establishing a Controlled Schools Unit within the Education Authority to deliver immediate improvements
- Phase 2: Creating a dedicated statutory organisation through legislation to provide long-term strategic leadership
Below you'll find the Joint Letter from principals who participated in the Taskforce. Please also watch the video message from two school leaders who share their perspectives and encourage participation in the DE's consultation.
The consultation closes on 11 December 2025 - please have your say.
Principals from the CLSG who signed the Joint Letter letter include:
- Nursery schools – Grace Trimble, Kilkeel Nursery School
- Primary Schools – Marshall Kilgore, Drumachose Primary School; Heather Murray, Millington Primary School; Gillian Dunlop, Largymore Primary School
- Post Primary Schools – Darren Mornin, Limavady High School; Michael Carville, Regent House; Gwyneth Evans, Cookstown High School
- Special Schools – Roz McFeeters, Hill Croft Special School
- Controlled Integrated Schools – Colin Millar, Fort Hill Integrated College
- Controlled Irish-medium Schools - Máirín Uí Cheallaigh, Gaelscoil Neachtain
- Other members – Robin McLoughlin OBE, Banbridge Academy