A school principal has rejected media reports he is retiring due to a mass resignation from the school’s board of governors.
Erne Integrated College principal Jimmy Jackson-Ware issued the statement on Wednesday after incorrect speculation that all 11 of the governors from the school had resigned.
Rejecting those reports, Jackson-Ware said nine of the 11 had resigned, and his own retirement later this year was not related to those resignations, adding that the resignations were ‘temporary’.
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“Further to media reports I confirm that nine out of the 11 governors of Erne Integrated College Board of Governors have resigned,” the principal of the Co Fermanagh college said in a statement posted on the school’s social media.
“Contrary to the media reports I remain as Principal, as do my Senior Leadership Team and we continue to lead and manage this school. The resignation of the governors is a temporary situation.
“The school will continue to function as normal and there will be no impact on the high quality learning and teaching that takes place in Erne Integrated College.
“My planned retirement has absolutely nothing to do with the governor resignations. I turned 60 years of age in November 2022. After 35 years of very rewarding and fulfilling teaching service, including 18 years as a Principal I made the decision to retire.
“Since my appointment as Principal in September 2015 the school has experienced significant improvement in terms of the built environment, curriculum development, working relationships and student academic achievement.
“This could not have been achieved without the hard work, dedication and support of both the staff and governors during my 8 year tenure and I offer my heartfelt thanks.
“My passion for integrated education remains the same and I wish Erne Integrated College every success in the future. I will continue to be the Principal of Erne Integrated College until my retirement on 31st August 2023.”
However, the principal’s statement made no reference as to why nine of 11 governors had tendered their resignations.
Belfast Live also understands that the two governors who have not resigned are both teachers in the school.
Local DUP councillor Paul Stevenson is one of those governors who has tendered his resignation, and declined to make any comment on the reason for the resignations when contacted by Belfast Live.
However, Cllr Stevenson denied that there was any connection between a recent inspection report on the school from the Education and Training Inspectorate.
The report highlighted a number of concerns around safeguarding of pupils not being addressed by the school.
An original inspection of the school was carried out in 2012, with three follow-up inspections having been ordered in more than a decade since.
In the most recent inspection carried out in March 2023, the report states that safeguarding arrangements at the school were "unsatisfactory" and highlighted two areas which need ‘urgent’ improvements.
A spokesperson for the Department of Education said it was liaising with the school to clarify the current position.
"The Board of Governors of a Grant Maintained Integrated (GMI) school is the managing authority," the spokesperson said.
“The Department is liaising with NICIE and the school to clarify the current position and appropriate options for maintaining effective governance going forward. The Principal and senior leadership team continue to manage the normal day to day functioning of the school and NICIE is currently offering support and guidance.”
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