The North Monastery primary school in Cork has withdrawn controversial plans to start teaching infant boys, but its board hopes agreement can be reached with local schools on future enrolments in time for September 2015.

A Cork primary school has strongly criticised a neighbouring school over its unapproved plans to enrol infant boys.

The first day of spring sunshine marked celebrations at a northside school in Cork City, days after a reprieve from possible closure. The 170 boys — along with teachers and parents — of Scoil Mhuire Fatima took their party outdoors at lunchtime on Friday as they marked victory in their campaign against its planned closure.

Hundreds of people took to the streets of Cork to demand removal of plans that would close the North Monastery primary school on the city’s northside.