Grade ‘A’ day as new secondary school opens
40STUDENTSSTART ATNORTHWICKLOW EDUCATETOGETHER
NORTH Wicklow Educate Together Secondary School opened its doors to 40 first year students on Monday morning.
The school is temporarily based on Putland Road, Bray, in the former Adult Education Centre. A permanent location for the new secondary school has yet to be announced by the Department of Education and Skills.
‘We originally thought it would be on the golf lands, then we thought it would be on BIFE lands,’ said a spokesperson for the board of management. ‘A site hasn’t been confirmed yet but we expect to get a new building in Bray. The school we’re going into won’t have capacity for more than a couple of years.’
‘ This is the culmination of six year’s work by the start-up group and the start of a new chapter in education for County Wicklow,’ said principal Jonathan Browner on Monday. ‘In association with Trinity College Dublin’s Bridge 21 and the three other start-up Educate Together secondary schools, we’ll promote equality of access to an exceptional education with a complete focus on the learner. I am privileged and beyond happy to be leading this extraordinary enterprise.’
Start-up group member Jessica Bird said that the realisation of their goal was a very special moment.
‘We are truly very grateful for all of the support that has been given to us over the years and are delighted to have Jonathan Browner at the helm as we move towards a bright future.’
Student Mia Holmes said that she is ‘ honoured and excited’ to be one of the first students to go to Educate Together, while Liam O’Brien said that he hopes the new school will be a place where fun and education meet.
The Adult Education Centre, which had occupied the Putland Road site, will be based temporarily in the upper floor of the building. Ray Finucane of Bray Adult Education Centre said that the KWETB is trying to move the facility into Block E of the civic centre. A planning permission decision is due this week.
They have been told that in the event the application is unsuccessful, they will be provided with a suitable facility in Bray within three months.