January is a good time to plan your children’s education

JANUARY is a time to plan, not just for yourself but for your children’s education. Many Sligo schools, both Primary and Secondary, are holding enrolment days this month.

The key to choosing the best school, according to experts, is choosing the best school for your child. And that might not be the nearest school.

Things to consider include the school’s values and ethos, size, emphasis on sport/technology/ academia, location and transport possibilities. At Second Level, are they flexible on subject choice and level? Are they fair and consistent in implementing discipline? Such teachers are known to have positive expectations for their students which will impact on their educational success long term.

Your child will not be obliged to attend school before the age of 6 and you also have a constitutional right to educate your child at home www. citizensinformation.ie - a practice that is growing in Ireland in recent years.

The types of schools available

The primary education sector consists mainly of State-funded primary schools in Sligo - religious schools, multi-denominational schools and one Gaelscoil, which teaches through Irish. As reported in this paper late last year, a new system of Democratic school plans to open in Dunally next September, catering for both primary and secondary students.

There are approximately 13 post-primary schools in Sligo including secondary schools, vocational schools, community or comprehensive schools and fee-paying secondary schools.

You can find a list of both primary and secondary schools on the Department of Education and Skills website: www.education.ie/find-a-schoo, and many are advertising their Enrolment Days on these pages.