School left ‘disjointed’ by nine prefabs, inspectors say

Prefab buildings, nine in all and being used by 12 teachers, have resulted in a disjointed layout of a Clare school.

Department of Education inspectors commented on the “unsystematic approach to the provision of accommodation” at the CBS primary school in Ennis. They described the accommodation as “unsustainable”.

It follows the inspectors’ critical evaluation of Bunscoil na mBraithre on New Road.

The school’s board of management welcomed the acknowledgement that the present accommodation was totally inadequate.

The board said that, with significant investment, new staff facilities are being provided and the school was adhering to department circulars on retention of pupils and deployment of teachers.

The inspectors claimed “the majority of recommendations made in previous reports relating to school management, accommodation, teaching, and learning had not been adequately addressed.

“Many of the issues highlighted still pertain and given the rate of increase in school enrolment and the changing pupil profile, some of the difficulties have become more pronounced,” inspectors said.

“A more sustained approach to school improvement is urgently required.”

It notes “the quality of the existing school accommodation is poor with some matters requiring immediate attention and improvement. These include the poor facilities available to staff, the inconvenient access to toilet facilities for certain pupils, the unsuitable classroom furniture in some settings, and the cramped and uncomfortable conditions in some classrooms. More effective cleaning of the school is necessary.”

Inspectors pointed out: “Prefabricated buildings have been acquired as needed and, as a result, the school is disjointed in its layout and includes nine prefabs which are used by 12 teachers.

“This unsystematic approach to the provision of accommodation is unsustainable.”