New chapter in primary education for Wexford
WWETB TO TAKE OVER PATRONAGE OF KILNAMANAGH NS WITH COUNTY’S FIRST COMMUNITY NATIONAL SCHOOL
IN WHAT is the first of its kind in County Wexford, the Waterford and Wexford Education and Training Board (WWETB) will take over the running of a primary school with the establishment of a Community National School in Kilnamanagh, Oulart.
WWETB currently operates eight secondary schools in the county, but this will be the board’s first venture into primary education. The move follows the transfer of patronage of Kilnamanagh from the Church of Ireland to WWETB. It will be the first primary school of its kind in Co. Wexford and will offer a progressive model of primary education underpinned by a unique multi-denominational ethos.
Kilnamanagh NS in its current form has stood as a Church of Ireland school in the community for over 150 years, which makes the shift to a Community National School (CNS) ethos all the more momentous. The Church of Ire- land patronage is due to expire this August.
Enrolment is due to begin shortly for all classes (Junior Infants to 6th class) for families in the Kilnamanagh and Oulart areas, as well as children from the wider geographical areas for this coming academic year (2019-2020).
Director of Schools with the WWETB Eilís Leddy said: ‘A distinguishing feature of the CNS model is its multi-denominational ethos. Speaking to parents in the Wexford area, it is clear that families want the choice of this type of publicly-managed, community-focused and equality-based educational setting for their children. We are committed to the provision of high quality teaching and learning in an holistic setting.’
Having WWETB as its patron is significant in what Kilnamanagh CNS has to offer. WWETB is a locally-based state agency and is already the patron of 12 post primary schools and post Leaving Certificate colleges in Waterford and Wexford.
Having WWETB as patron means the school will benefit from a broad range of services and supports to their Board of Management such as administrative, information technology, governance, financial, human resources and buildings.
This, according to the WWETB, will ensure that staff of the school will have additional time to focus on excellence in teaching and learning. Similar schools have been set up in Dublin, Kildare, Meath and Cork over the last 10 years and have experienced significant growth and success.
Kevin Lewis, CE of WWETB expressed his gratitude for all who made this new school possible: ‘WWETB are hugely supportive of this new school and have worked very hard since the Department of Education and Skills approved its opening. I would like to thank in particular Bishop Michael Burrows, Archdeacon Bob Gray and Dr Ken Fennelly for their support and confidence in WWETB and we look forward to continuing to serve the local and wider communities at post primary and now at primary level.’
Archdeacon Bob Gray, current chairman of the Board of Management said: ‘The Board of Management of Kilnamanagh National School welcomes the forthcoming transfer of patronage of the school from the Church of Ireland to the WWETB from August 2019. We wish the WWETB every success for the future and hope that its community-based ethos will enable the school to grow and to thrive in the years ahead.’
Bishop Michael Burrows added: ‘The school will continue to operate and provide quality education in the local community and we are confident that the long heritage of the school will be respected and cherished, albeit within a new mode of governance.’
The WWETB is hoping that Kilnamanagh CNS will be the first of many community national schools in Wexford. ‘We are proud to be patrons of the first Community National School in Wexford and we hope it will be the first of many across Wexford and Waterford,’ said Eilís Leddy. ‘This new model of primary school recognises and celebrates the identity of all children equally. Our priority is to enhance children’s love of learning through innovative teaching in an environment that nurtures their well-being and personal development. Parental involvement is encouraged in all aspects of school life.’
The WWETB are now taking enrolments and interested parents can contact WWETB head office directly on 053-9123799, or by emailing cns@wwetb.ie