Purdy, N. (2015) Good news for the poor? – A case study of church and school collaboration in inner-city Belfast

Abstract

This critical reflection addresses the role of the Christian Church in tackling educational underachievement and poverty in the inner city. The Church has traditionally expressed a commitment to meeting the needs of the poor, and has exerted a significant influence on education over many years. However, there is a notable lack of guidance and research in relation to how churches should engage with inner-city schools and how they can best address the challenges of low educational aspiration and attainment. Set against a context of chronic underachievement, community tensions and social disadvantage within the local Protestant working-class community, this paper briefly examines an innovative collaboration between a primary school and its local church in inner-city Belfast. Although imperfect, the partnership offers a practical means of addressing the children’s educational and also wider pastoral needs. This paper concludes with a challenge to the Church to engage in such challenging communities in a more critical and evidence-based manner.