Annual Report 2001~ 2002 - Belfast Education & Library Board

ForewordThis Annual Report outlines the work and achievements of the board as we move towards the final yearof the current Corporate Plan. The work highlighted within this report has been undertaken during amajor changeover of board members.In July of last year, the board said farewell to a significant number of members who had completed 12 yearsservice, including the former chairpersons of the board, Anne Odling-Smee, of the education committee,Margaret Cruickshank, and of the general purposes and finance committee, Jim Collins, and welcomedsixteen new members. This report is a fitting tribute to the work of all these members, past and present.Creating a context where learning can thrive both within the board and across the city has been an underpinningtheme of the board’s efforts through the current Corporate Plan. In doing this we have recognised that what wecan achieve much more by working in partnership with other agencies and individuals than would be possibleif we relied only on our own resources.A major example of this approach during the past year was the bringing together of a range of organisations toconduct a best value review of literacy in the city - the first instance of a thematic use of best value within theboards. The recommendations of the review, launched in February, are now being taken forward to tackle themajor challenges that the report identified.Officers and board members worked unstintingly to support the whole education community throughout NorthBelfast when schools in the area became a focal point of community strife. The effects of the disruption werefelt throughout the city and had an impact on all aspects of the board’s services. For officers and members, thepriority was to work with local staff, the Department of Education, other education partners including CCMS,community leaders and other agencies to seek solutions and to maintain as normal a learning environment aspossible for children and young people.We welcome the support and co-operation of these individuals and organisations and count on it as we continueto use all our skills and resources to build a cohesive and inclusive learning community in Belfast.David CargoChief ExecutiveBelfast Education and Library BoardCarmel McKinneyChairpersonBelfast Education and Library Board4 Annual Report 2001~ 2002