Waiting and debating on secondary school places

WAITING LISTS REMAIN AS MINISTER CONFIRMS NEXT YEAR’S PLACES

AFTER a total of 16 sixth class students in Bunscoil Loreto were left without receiving a secondary school place in either Creagh College or Gorey Community School last month, other primary schools in the town have found themselves in similar situations as they wait in limbo.

Principal of Gaelscoil Moshíológ Carol Scott said that 50% of the class did not get a place in either school, and Principal of Gorey Central School Matthew Baker said that it was over 25% of students in the schools’ sixth class.

‘It is very clear that the issues and concerns of secondary school enrolments are having a big affect on the children and their families. Over 25% of our current sixth class are affected and two children currently are without a place at either secondary school,’ said Matthew Baker.

‘Many parents have been in contact with myself informing me that it has caused both their families and their children considerable stress and anxiety.

Carol Scott said that although Gaelscoil Moshíológ students may prefer to attend Irish speaking secondary schools in Arklow or Enniscorthy, those students who live in the town find themselves far down the waiting list.

‘We had six students looking for places who didn’t have siblings in the schools, three were draw and got places while three remain on the waiting list and they are way down that waiting list,’ she said.

Both Matthew and Carol agreed that there is a definite need for a third secondary school in Gorey to accommodate students.

‘Parents of future transitioning children have expressed grave concerns that their children may not have a place in either secondary school in years to come. Whilst there appears to be no easy fix for the growing population in Gorey regarding school placements, the families living in and around the town need reassurance from somewhere that their children’s secondary school education will be provided within Gorey town both now and in the future,’ said Matthew Baker

Meanwhile in St Joseph’s National School, Principal Padraig Cronin said that there are at least five students in the situation of having no school place.

‘My own child is in sixth class and I’m seeing it from both points of few, as a parent and a principal.

‘He and his friends talking about where they are going, but those without places can’t participate and it has a mental impact, it’s worrying.

‘Parents are worried as well with the cost of starting secondary school, as they are in a position where they can’t plan ahead at the moment in terms of uniforms, book lists etc.

‘We have all highlighted the problem to the Minster for Education previously, but there seems to be something wrong with the system as it is not reflecting the live situation on the ground,’ he said.

Speaking in the Dáil last week, Malcolm Byrne TD asked Education Minister Joe McHugh directly about the situation in Gorey.

Deputy Byrne said that from speaking to both schools, he sees that the schools are 69 places short.

He asked the Minister if places can be guaranteed for every child and about the long term challenge in terms of the need for a third secondary school.

Malcolm said that the problem is only going to get worse and is causing worry to parents and children, and he suggested that plans and processes to facilitate the new school should start now.

Minister Joe McHugh confirmed that the Department will not allow a situation where there will be no places for secondary schools in 2020.

‘We will continue to look at demographics and planning permissions, existing capacity and options with Wexford County Council. We want to reassure anyone in the Gorey area that we will continue to analyse data and a decision will be made based on demographics,’ he said.

He encouraged school principals to get in contact with the Department about their concerns, especially as more people and young families move to the area and pressures are put on primary schools.

Referencing the government’s 2040 plan, he said that future capacity will be monitored but that this needed to be done in a managed way, taking all factors in to consideration.

St Joseph’s National School Principal, Padraig Cronin said that the figures show that the need for a third secondary school is inevitable.

‘Some kids find it hard to deal with the transition from primary to secondary school and when they can’t prepare for the transition, it makes it more difficult.

‘We were fortunate for years that our students were automatically transferred so there was no worry if they got their application in on time. But the change in policy has impacted this year, and ultimately you may have kids leaving the town to access education,’ he said.

Principal of Gorey Educate Together Raymond Swan when contacted said that he had not been approached by parents about this issue and had no information regarding waiting lists.

While the number of Bunscoil Loreto students without places has dropped from 16 students to 13 so far, a meeting was held with parents brought up parents’ concerns.

Principal Aileen Kennedy said that the meeting was well attended and brought with it high levels of anxiety, but that there is a sense of community within the parents who are affected by this.

One parent Ramona Kehoe said that the meeting really opened her eyes.

‘My daughter is way down the list, and she’s upset as her childhood friend who she’s gone all the way through school ever since play school with has her place.

‘I chose to send my daughter to Bunscoil Loreto expecting that she’d go to Gorey Community School, we planned our lives around it as your children’s’ education is the first thing on your mind,’ she said.

Principal of Gorey Community School Michael Finn confirmed that the first year waiting lists stands currently at 111.

‘I am in contact with a number of people keeping them updated of any improvements in their child’s position on the list and I am aware that a number of people have accepted places in more than one school.

‘I would urge these people to consider the stress that is being experienced by parents and children who have no place and make their final decision,’ he said.

A spokesperson for Creagh College was unavailable for comment on waiting lists at the time of going to print.

Sinead Fox of the Bunscoil Loreto Parents’ Association said that the next step as part of its campaign would be to put pressure on schools make contact with the Department and start talks about the need for temporary accommodation.

‘We’d be concerned that the secondary schools start to get temporary accommodation applications in, as that will needed as soon as possible it would seem,’ she said.

WE PLANNED OUR LIVES AROUND THIS AS YOUR CHILDREN’S’ EDUCATION IS THE FIRST THING ON YOUR MIND.