A significant new research report into educational underachievement in controlled schools – commissioned and funded by the Transferor Representatives’ Council – has been launched by Stranmillis University College.
Beyond the Stereotype is based on group interviews with principals, teachers and pupils in eight primary and post-primary schools in suburban, town and rural areas, and also with school governors and other leaders in those communities. The study aims to go ‘beyond the stereotype’ of the well-documented challenge of underachievement among Protestant working class boys in inner-city areas, and to ‘cast the net wider’ to provide a broader and more representative picture. It raises important questions about the purpose of education and how we measure success.
The study finds that while pupils view educational achievement as largely related to success in external exams (such as GCSEs and A-levels), many school and community leaders (including employers) place greater value on a wider range of skills and abilities, and pupils’ mental and physical health, self-confidence, happiness and willingness to learn.
Particular challenges in rural communities, which have not been reported extensively to date in previous studies, are identified with some school leaders speaking of the difficulty in motivating boys to work hard towards GCSEs. Disadvantage across generations and a lack of educational aspiration, often associated with inner-city working-class contexts, are also reportedly strong features of many rural communities.
Beyond the Stereotype also finds that schools lack support in terms of sourcing standardised tests for pupils, which are bought in from private companies in the absence of government-funded tests. A resulting variety of approaches in testing at primary level mean that post-primary schools often test pupils within their first few days at their new school; this, in turn, adds to an impression among pupils that post-primary education is about tests and scores.
School leaders are doing “sterling work” in keeping education going throughout the pandemic with one positive consequence of this crisis being that “schools and families are often now better connected than ever before” due to the increased use of remote technology.
Many community leaders speak of their passion for supporting schools and helping local children to succeed. A range of perspectives – supportive and critical – on the role of Protestant Churches in education is heard; the study affirms that where school leaders are open to church involvement (which cannot be assumed) and where a local church engages meaningfully, tangibly and unconditionally in its local school, “there is enormous potential to improve educational outcomes.”
Susan began her career in advertising. Her interest and passion for childhood development was triggered through wanting to learn more about her own children. Having been involved in developing several cross community, intercultural and arts projects with children and parents in the Craigavon area, Susan returned to education and was part of the first cohort of students to undertake the ’new’ BA (Hons) degree at Stranmillis, graduating in 2000. Susan then completed the PGCE (Early Years) at Stranmillis and, since then, has taught in several Primary Schools and is currently Head of Nursery Education at Fort Hill Integrated Primary School, Lisburn.
Professor Sir Desmond Rea’s term of office as Chair of the Stranmillis University College (SUC) Governing Body, ended on 31 December 2021. The Governors, Staff and Students would like to thank Sir Desmond for his dedication and leadership as Chair of the Board over the last 8 years. We wish him well and look forward to celebrating his tenure in the near future.
At the start of each term, the College is delighted to welcome international students from our partner universities and colleges around the globe. Those students quickly become an integral part of the Stran community, experiencing the Northern Ireland culture, creating long lasting friendships and developing both personally and professionally. Our international students always add a richness and diversity to college life and it is then with sadness and best wishes that we have to say goodbye to them.
international students who have been studying with us this semester will remember their experiences of Stranmillis and Northern Ireland fondly and we will see them again in the future!
A huge congratulations to all of our Graduates from 2020 & 2021 who were finally able to enjoy in-person graduation ceremonies! On December 8, our Winter Graduation enjoyed a welcome return to in-person graduations and, on December 13, our graduates from Summer 2020 and 2021 and Winter 2020 finally had the opportunity to don their graduation robes, enjoy their spotlight on stage and celebrate their achievement with family, friends and academic staff at the graduation garden party.
To see more of our graduation pics, visit