Composition of Boards of Management

Last updated: 16th February 2023

Community and Comprehensive schools are governed by Boards of Management which are given statutory recognition by the Education Act, 1998.

The composition of Boards of Management of Community Schools is as follows:

  • Three Nominees of Religious Trustees or other private Trustee body e.g. Educate Together

  • Three Nominees of Education and Training Board Trustees

  • Two Nominees of parents (elected, of whom one must be a mother)

  • Two Nominees of teaching staff (elected)

  • Principal (non-voting)

  • Total: Eleven

The voting members of the Board, at their first meeting in each year, must elect one of their number as Chairperson of their meetings for that year. Such election for Chairperson must take place annually.

Provision is made in "Catholic" Comprehensive Schools for an 8/9 person Board of Management consisting of:

  • Two nominees of the local Catholic Bishop, one of whom acts as Chairperson

  • A nominee of the local Education and Training Board

  • The Chief Executive Officer for the time being of the Education and Training Board

  • Two elected parent nominees (one male, one female)

  • Two elected teacher nominees

  • One other who may be co-opted

  • The Principal will normally attend all Board of Management meetings

The Board may nominate one of its members to act as Secretary and arrange that the Principal will act as Correspondence Secretary. Where it has been the custom and practice for the Chief Executive Officer of the Education and Training Board to act as Secretary, the said Chief Executive Officer may continue in this role

The Boards of Management in "Protestant" Comprehensive Schools consist of:

  • Six nominees of the local religious authority one of whom is nominated as Chairperson by that authority

  • A nominee of the local Education and Training Board

  • Two elected teacher nominees.

  • Two elected parent nominees.

  • The role of Secretary will be as for the Catholic Comprehensive Schools

Term of Office of a Board of Management

The term of office of a Community School Board of Management is three years and expires on the 31st day of July in the third year after the Board was constituted.

The term of office of a Comprehensive School Board of Management is five years.