[1] The trust is named after Edmund Ignatius Rice the founder of the Irish Christian Brothers who originally established and maintained the schools.

[2] Similar trusts have been established in England,[3] Northern Ireland[4] and elsewhere.

The main object of the Trust is to ensure and foster the advancement of education and to further the aims and purposes of Catholic education in the Edmund Rice tradition in colleges, schools and other educational projects owned or operated by the Trusts in the different countries.

The Edmund Rice Schools Trust (NI) Ltd is the trustee body responsible for eight schools in Belfast, Glengormley, Armagh, Newry and Omagh: These schools were formerly under the trusteeship of the Irish Christian Brothers.

The Trust was launched in February 2009 and is based in the Westcourt Centre, Belfast.