Fermanagh College
Northern Ireland's education system has an extremely complex structure. There are 10 official bodies involved in the management and administration of the system as well as a number of voluntary bodies that play a significant role.
In Northern Ireland, every child receives 12 years of full-time education between the ages of 4 and 16 years of age. The majority of pupils transfer from primary to post-primary (grammar or secondary) school at 11 years of age. It is possible for pupils to apply to a grammar school at this age if they succeed in the entry test (known as a Transfer Procedure test). Grammar schools cater for the educational needs of pupils up to the age of 19 years whilst secondary schools cater for the educational needs of pupils up to the age of 16 years.There is also a large voluntary school sector and Catholic maintained schools.
The Department of Education is responsible for education provision in Northern Ireland, including: Strategic planning and management of education; Curriculum content and delivery; Allocating funding to the Education and Library Boards; Covering capital costs for most schools.
The Western Education and Library Board is the local education authority and library authority for Fermanagh. It funds controlled schools and meets the running costs of maintained schools.
The Council for Catholic Maintained Schools promotes and co-ordinates Catholic education in Northern Ireland. It is responsible for the employment of teachers in Catholic maintained schools and for a number of other, mainly advisory, functions.
The Northern Ireland Council for Integrated Education promotes integrated education and facilitates the establishment of integrated schools. Integrated education is the initiative to bring together in one school, pupils, teachers and governors from Catholic and Protestant traditions.
The third level education system incorporates 16 colleges of further and higher education (including ) and five universities. The range of courses provided by F.E. colleges span essential skills, a wide range of vocational Fermanagh Collegeand academic programmes at levels 2 and 3 and Higher Education programmes. In addition, there are a small number of non-statutory further education bodies, e.g. Workers Education Association (WEA)- provides a range of adult education opportunities throughout Northern Ireland; Educational Guidance Service for Adults (EGSA) - provides adults with an independent source of advice and guidance on accessing learning opportunities