Ethos 

Educate Together is the representative organisation for primary & secondary equality-based schools in Ireland. It is an independent NGO that runs and supports schools that guarantee equality of access and esteem to children “irrespective of their social, cultural or religious background”. 

The ethos of Educate Together schools is rooted in inclusivity, equality, and democratic values. Educate Together schools guarantee equal access and respect for all children, regardless of their social, cultural, or religious backgrounds. 

They adopt a learner-centred approach to education, fostering critical thinking, moral development, and active participation. They  emphasise co-education and encourage students to explore their full potential in a supportive environment. 

Through the “Learn Together” Ethical Education Curriculum, they teach about belief systems, human rights, democracy, and environmental stewardship, promoting respect for diversity and preparing students to thrive in a pluralistic society.

For more information on Educate Together primary schools, visit: http://www.educatetogether.ie/our-schools/primary

Curriculum

Educate Together schools teach the Learn Together Ethical Education Curriculum, rather than the religious instruction programmes taught in denominational schools. 

The Learn Together curriculum is unique to Educate Schools and aims to foster self-awareness, empathy, and critical thinking in students, empowering them to become ethical, active citizens committed to equality, justice, and global citizenship. 

It promotes understanding of diverse belief systems, democratic principles, and the climate crisis while encouraging personal reflection and engagement with local, national, and global communities.

This curriculum has four strands:

• Values and Ethical Perspectives: This emphasises developing moral awareness, self-reflection, and ethical decision-making. It encourages students to explore right and wrong, strengthen self-worth, understand human emotions, and identify values for personal growth. It also promotes philosophical inquiry to deepen ethical reasoning and informed decision-making.
• Equality and Justice: This strand aims to foster critical awareness of human rights, equality, diversity, and social justice, encouraging questioning and analysis while empowering students to become informed, ethical, and active citizens.
• Belief Systems: This strand helps the children to develop an understanding of diverse belief systems, both religious and secular, and their relevance to human experience and daily life. It highlights the right to hold, practice, or change beliefs, fosters respect for cultural and individual differences in belief practices, and promotes mutual understanding through exploring how beliefs shape personal and societal values.
• Ethical approach to the Environment: This strand aims to develop students’ awareness of environmental fragility, the impact of over-consumption, and the urgency of protecting the planet, empowering them to become informed, ethical citizens who take action for sustainability and social justice.

For more information on Educate Together’s curriculum, visit: http://www.educatetogether.ie/about/learn-together