Educate Together secondary school welcomed

The news that Munster’s first Educate Together second-level school is to open in Co Cork has been welcomed locally.

It is one of two patrons selected to open two new second-level schools in Carrigaline in 2016 after Education Minister Ruairi Quinn decided it and the Edmund Rice Schools Trust should run them. Each will have capacity for up to 600 students.

Niall Wall, the multi-denominational schools body’s regional development officer for Ireland South, said it is high time parents in Cork had the option of an Educate Together second-level school, as it already has five thriving primary schools in the county.

“I am delighted to see the hard work and campaigning of parents come to fruition, and I know that this school will provide a popular additional choice for families in the area,” he said.

As reported in yesterday’s Irish Examiner, the ERST — which controls schools formerly run by Christian Brothers — was supported in its application for patronage in Carrigaline by Christian Brothers College in the city. Its Edmund Rice College will be a non-fee-paying co-educational school with a Catholic ethos.

Catholic Bishop of Cloyne William Crean welcomed the selection of his joint patronage, along with Cork Education and Training Board, to run of a new second-level school in east Cork’s Midleton/Carrigtwohill area.

“This new project will strengthen the excellent working relationship which has existed for many years between the diocese and the Cork ETB,” he said.

The Catholic community college proposal had more parental support than a proposed Educate Together school for the area. But the Department of Education assessment said the Educate Together school approved for Carrigaline could meet some demand for this type of provision from the Midleton/Carrigtwohill area.

Of six other second-level schools to open nationally in 2015 and 2016, three will be under Educate Together’s patronage, two will be run by the local ETB, and one jointly by both.

“The fact that the new patrons include those of multi-denominational and those of a Catholic ethos clearly demonstrates that the department and I are committed to providing diversity of ethos in our schools, and respecting the demands of parents,” Mr Quinn said.

We’re delighted that today’s second-level schools announcement recognises importance of parental choice in education! http://t.co/yekwhBG8Q9

— Educate Together (@EducateTogether) November 28, 2013