Small schools are as important to, and as influential in, rural communities as the local church.
That is the view of principals, contained in research into small schools from Queen's University of Belfast (QUB).
The study said that small rural schools have many strengths including a strong relationship with the local community and low pupil-to-teacher ratios.
Many face challenges including falling pupil numbers and threat of closure.
The "Small School Rural Community Study" looked at the relationship between small rural primary schools and their local communities.
