School catchment move leaves pupils out in cold

FOURTEEN pupils have been turned away from their local 1,600-student secondary school because the Department of Education says there is no room for them next September.

The catchment area for Gorey community school was widened several years ago when it had room for extra pupils, but the Department has now told the school to stick to the traditional boundary, leaving five primary schools and 14 pupils out in the cold.

The move means the five local Co Wexford schools formerly included in the extended catchment area in Ballygarrett, Ballyfad, Monaseed, Coolgraney and Monamolin have been excluded. Many students will now have to pass the gates of Gorey community school and continue several miles down the road to Kilmuckridge vocational school. Others will be forced to travel to Wicklow.