THE Dublin and Dún Laoghaire ETB (DDLETB) has launched a patronage campaign for a new community college in Blanchardstown that’s opening in September 2020.
The Government recently announced 42 new schools, across the country, up to 2022 and the DDLETB currently provides education in seven schools across Dublin 15 including at Castleknock Community College and Coláiste Pobail Setanta.
Last month the DDLETB concluded its campaign for new primary schools in other parts of Dublin and is now stepping up work in Blanchardstown to deliver a new post-primary school by September 2020.
"The Department of Education and Skills need to conclude their work on the school patronage process elsewhere before starting up the process in Blanchardstown,” said David McGuinness of the DDLETB.
“This new school is to cater for a region designated as Blanchardstown Village/Blanchardstown West.
“It will be an 800-student school, it will open in September 2020 with enrolment due to start around October 2019 and no site has been identified yet.
"Last week, we shared our 'expressions of interest' webpage in Blanchardstown and were taken aback by the level of support we received for a publicly-owned and managed secondary school.
“Parents and Guardians who wish to support our campaign can do so through the link at www.ddletb.ie/post-primary-patronage.
"In addition, parents in Blanchardstown are encouraged to follow our Facebook and Instagram pages so that they can get a real sense of DDLETB's excellent community colleges throughout Dublin.”
The DDLETB currently has 29 publicly run community colleges throughout Dublin.
“We are one of the largest providers of post-primary education in the country,” McGuinness added.
“Our schools are state-of-the-art, co-educational, inclusive, welcoming, technologically-advanced education campuses.
"Our schools are part of a wider education network where teachers and learners collaborate to improve teaching and learning for all.
“We pride ourselves on our commitment to special educational needs, information technology in education, promoting the arts and allowing every student to achieve their full potential.”