According to EA, the financial issues in the school are ‘related’

The use of school credit card at a county down Grammar School has been branded “related” in a report by Education Authority (EA).

The EA examined a limit of financial and governance issues at the recognized grammar school at Ballinch, in which it was described as spending in bar and restaurant.

The school has been important for EA’s findings, which made part of an interim report seen by BBC News NI.

The board of governors of the school stated that the interim report included “implementation” and “invalid documents”.

The investigation by the EA was inspired by the school’s internal audit for 2023-24, which was identified several issues, including “the lack of authority for shopping using the school credit card” and “the risk of financial errors and financial loss”.

For example, the internal audit found that “34 tested credit cards were not available for nine transactions, supporting challans/receipts, in a sample of transactions done”.

The EA later started an investigation, which led to an interim report in January 2025.

The interim report states that “a comprehensive use of these credit cards without a strong investigation or limit.

The EA report gave several examples of transactions using the school credit card, including “more than £ 1000 with the bill for two such occasions in the famous high-quality NI restaurant”.

BBC News NI laid a series of detailed questions about the findings of the EA interim report, which to follow grammar.

In response, the school governor stated that the EA report was “prepared at a point on time and without the benefit of additional information which later became available to the Education Authority”.

“This new information exposed the impurities in the interim report, arising from knowledge intervals and lack of adequate subsidiaries,” said this.

“As a result, the interim report was proceeded to keep in mind the identified impurities that were corrected in the final report.”

The EA investigation checked the expenditure on the school credit card from 2017 to 2023.

It said that “alcohol has been spent in a period reviewed of more than £ 4,000”.

A nominated staff member by the EA interim report also said that £ 10,030.64 on restaurants and bars and £ 2,708.24 on liquor on a school credit card in the same period.

In its interim report, EA admitted that “the cost of being out of the limit of general parameters purchased in other schools.”

The EA interim report also states that £ 13,855 grant was received by the school from 2022 to 2024 for two Ukrainian students, but the governors could not provide evidence that money was spent on those students.

The EA report also stated that the credit card expenditure on the Amazon item by the school from September 2021 to September 2023 was £ 21,000.

The school later wrote to parents and employees in June 2025 to say that EA produced a final report that identified “internal inspection and governance could be strengthened”.

He said that he had taken action on the use of school credit cards, financial reporting and procurement processes, which “to improve transparency and to ensure frequent application of financial processes”.

When asked by BBC News NI about the transaction using the school credit card referred to the interim report, the Board of Governors said they were unable to reply called “invalid documents”.

“However, through assurance, the use of school credit cards is formally approved by the Board of Governors.”

He said, “All expenses incurred using the school’s credit card have been formally approved by the Board of Governors,” he also said.

“This expenditure has been reviewed and confirmed that all payments for supply and services were either properly and supported for invoices or receipts – although not always both.

“These administrative deficiencies have been addressed since then.”

When asked about the money for Ukrainian students, the school said that “the case has been clarified in the final report, especially with the funds used for their intended purpose and fully used.”

“After reviewing the new information received after the interim report, the Education Authority confirmed that the Board of Governors, in fact, were fully informed about all school expenses and that was a formal process for reporting and approval”.

BBC News NI also placed a series of detailed questions to EA about the interim inquiry report and the findings of the school’s response.

A spokesman said that as the EA, Funding Authority, a concern was raised about financial management in the school.

“The investigation investigated a series of financial information and considered the reactions provided by the school,” read the EA statement.

“There was no evidence of any fraud activity, however, the report made several recommendations, where financial governance could be improved, including credit cards, financial reporting procedures, procurement practices and disposal of school assets.”

The EA stated that it welcomed the school’s commitment to implement all the recommended tasks of the school, which implements fully recommended tasks to strengthen their financial inspection and processes and address issues “.

BBC News NI also asked EA in view of the school criticism, if it was standing from the work done on the interim report.

In response, EA replied: “Throughout the process, EA has completely examined and stands by it.”

“A draft interim report was written at one point at a time based on information from school,” he continued.

“As part of the investigation process, the school was given the opportunity to provide their response and clarification on the draft interim report.”

“It provides additional information to EA which was then reflected in the final report released to the Board of Governors (BOG).”

“The final report includes several recommendations, as well as the bog’s response and interpretation of the issues raised.”

BBC News NI has seen a letter to the governors of the school signed by 59 employees in which they ask for “transparency” and claim that the morale in the school is “at an all -time low.”

The letter said, “The lack of transparency at the government level and lack of responsibility is creating a real crisis and disillusionment among the dedicated professionals who cared deeply about their students, their work and this school,” the letter continued.