Patronage wanted for new school

EXPRESSIONS of interest in becoming patrons of the new Post Primary school in the Drogheda/Layown area are being invited, with the application deadline this Wednesday.

The exact location of the 600-pupil school is still undecided; however, it is hoped the facility will be established by the end of next year.

Local TD Fergus O’Dowd has welcomed the news from his colleague the Minister for Education, Richard Bruton TD, that will see the patronage application process opening for the new Post Primary school for the Drogheda/Laytown area, due to be established in September 2019.

“Earlier this year a nationwide demographic report was carried out by the Minister’s department, and a new 600 pupil post primary school was subsequently announced to be delivered in the Drogheda Laytown area to address the ever-increasing demographic demand,” said Deputy O’Dowd.

“This new process will enable parents and guardians to have a say on how the school will be run through its patronage.”

Prospective patrons should complete an application form available on the Department’s website https:// www.education.ie/en/ Schools- Colleges/Information/ Establishing-a-New-School/ New-Post-Primary-Schools. html and submit to the Department by 4:30 p.m. on the 13th June 2018. This form will input into the new online system and will provide key information to parents and guardians in expressing a preference, which is one of the key determinants in decisions on patronage.

“We will then see the Department opening the new Online Patronage Process System website, this will provide objective information to all parents to allow them to make an informed choice in expressing a preference,,” he added.