Demand grows for Educate Together schools

A NEW Educate Together National School is scheduled to open in Firhouse in time for this year’s term as demand for places increases across the Southside.

On September 2 the new Firhouse Educate Together National School will be welcoming its first class of Junior Infants.

The school will be located in temporary accommodation in the Tymon Bawn Community Centre on Firhouse Road West.

School Principal Collette Dunne commented on the warm welcome the school received at the centre.

“We are delighted to have this premises to launch our new school as it gives us a wholly self-contained secure area with a large bright classroom, a learning resource room, an office and an enclosed outdoor space,

? she said.

The families of the first Junior Infant class had a chance to visit the new school premises at a recent get together.

There was great support on the day from parents and families of the enrolled children, as well as from friends and teachers.

While waiting on the Department of Education and Skills to identify a permanent location for the school Principal Dunne added:

“A school is created by the people who are in it rather than its location.

“A new school is a wonderful addition to any community and we are committed to ensuring Firhouse Educate Together will be a thriving centre of learning and fun, based on respect for all, where everyone involved will learn together to live together.

?

Meanwhile, it has emerged that there are not enough school places to cater for the growing number of families seeking an alternative to denominational education across the south of the city.

According to Educate Together CEO Paul Rowe, the Dublin 2, Dublin 4, Dublin 6, Dublin 8 and Dublin 10 areas all need new schools.

“Simply put, Dublin city needs more Educate Together schools,

? he said.

“Evidence of growing parental demand is undeniable. Our schools and start-up groups are reporting that hundreds of children are being signed up to our already over-subscribed waiting lists.

?

Mr Rowe said demand for school places was particularly acute in Dublin 2 and Dublin 8.

“This situation will be relieved somewhat by the opening of Portobello Educate Together NS in September,

? he said.

“However, one new single-stream school cannot hope to accommodate the thousands of families who’ve pre-enrolled over the last three years, and additional provision is desperately needed.

“Educate Together is also looking to expand the current capacity of existing school buildings.

“A longstanding campaign is underway to transform Griffith Barracks Multi-Denominational School, which is a popular, single stream school, into a fully equipped 16-classroom building with double the capacity.

“Demand is just as strong in Dublin 4,

? he added.

“The Department of Education and Skills recently announced that a new primary school would open in the Sandymount/Ringsend area in 2014.

“This is great news for local parents who have been campaigning tirelessly for a multi-denominational school option. Educate Together has applied for patronage in this area, and we expect an announcement from the department in the autumn.

?

Mr Rowe pointed out that there is also support for establishing new Educate Together schools in Dublin 6 and Dublin 10.

“Parents in the Harold’s Cross/Rathmines area, and parents in the Ballyfermot/ Chapelizod/ Palmerstown/ Cherry Orchard areas recently filled out online patronage surveys, which demonstrated that there is sufficient demand for new Educate Together schools,

? he said.