Permanant site found for Educate Together school

THERE was some great news for Stepaside Educate Together last week as it was revealed that a permanent site has been identified for their secondary school.

And not only has the school found a new, permanent home but a formal offer has now also now been submitted for the new school. 

Deputy Josepha Madigan (FG), who has been working with the Department of Education and Skills and Dún Laoghair Rathdown County Council on the project said she was delighted with the progress being made. 

“In the meantime, the secondary school is being temporarily accommodated within the national school building,” she said.

“A permanent 24-classroom school building is already under construction for Stepaside Educate Together National School.”

Stepaside Educate Together Secondary School opened its doors to students in August 2016.

 At the time the secondary school was temporarily based on the grounds of De La Salle Palmerston Rugby Club in Kilternan until a permanent location for the 1,000 students was decided by the Department of Education and Skills.

“Our school is on the Department of education building list for 2018 and will be built under the newest specifications,” the school state on their website.

“The school will incorporate the newest designs for classrooms, numerous specialist rooms, meeting areas and sports facilities.

“This will be a top quality educational facility that will greatly add to the educational choice available for families in the area.”

Deputy Madigan said the department had been working with Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Council towards the acquisition of a permanent site for the Stepaside Educate Together Secondary School that has now been identified.

“It is clear that parents want more choice in the educational choices available for their children,” Deputy Madigan added.

“The progress on Stepaside Educate Together National and Secondary schools represents significant investment in the area through the Department of Education’s capital programme and will provide a great boost to the local community.”

Senator Neale Richmond for Dublin Rathdown also welcomed the progress on establishing a permanent home for Stepaside Educate Together Secondary School.

In a debate on the floor of the Seanad, Minister for Education, Richard Bruton, confirmed to Senator Richmond that an offer has been made for a site to house the permanent home of Stepaside Educate Together Secondary School.

“I was delighted to attend the opening of the new Stepaside Educate Together Secondary School with local councillor, Emma Blain,” Senator Richmond said.

“The school opened in prefabs in the car park of De La Salle Palmerston Rugby Club in Kilternan.

“Despite humble beginnings the school had a phenomenal first year, becoming a leading school in STEM subjects, partnering with Trinity College on the Bridge 21 project and establishing many extra-curricular activities such as football teams and earning an amber school flag.

“For this academic year, the school is being co-located with Stepaside Educate Together National School at their new home in Belarmine.

“This school is growing rapidly and demand for places is high with excellent teachers and a vibrant school community,” Senator Richmond added.

“The identification and provision of a permanent home for this school was one of the most pressing issues facing our local community.

“It is one of the fastest growing communities in the country, with a population greater than that of County Leitrim.

“I am determined the community and education needs of this area must be met.

“Since 2012, the Department of Education has been working with Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Council in order to identify a site with various options being presented through the County Development Plans that I voted for when I was a county councillor for the area.

“I am delighted that Minister Bruton has now confirmed to me that a suitable site has been identified and that an offer has been made.

“Understandably, for commercial reasons, the exact location of this site cannot be revealed just yet but I welcome this progress and I am looking forward to a formal announcement soon.”