The Rural and Small Church of Ireland Primary School: The Use of School Websites to Define School Ethos

There are 175 Church of Ireland (Anglican) primary schools in the Republic of Ireland, the majority of these schools are rural and small. This paper explored the websites of the Church of Ireland primary schools which were located in rural areas and had an enrolment of fewer than 100 pupils. The study found that 46% of these schools did not have school websites. Of those schools that had websites, 65% identified as Church of Ireland schools on the home page of their websites, but the remainder did not express this identity. By using content analysis methodologies to analyse school ethos statements published on the school websites it was found that schools were very dependent on a sample ethos document issued in 2003 by the Church of Ireland. This paper highlights key aspects of school ethos, and, while noting that all schools are unique, recommends conversation about ethos so that small and rural schools are equipped and supported in the development of their distinct identity as Church of Ireland primary schools within an ever-changing educational marketplace.