Talks urged in row over junior boys’ enrolment

Cork’s Lord Mayor has urged parents and management at a school that wants to enrol junior infants to discuss any changes with other schools and avoid creating enemies.

Catherine Clancy’s message came as a second neighbouring school to Scoil Mhuire Fatima North Monastery criticised its decision to expand beyond its current policy of enrolling boys from second to sixth classes only. The plan does not have the required approval of school patron Catholic bishop, John Buckley, who said there needs to be local consensus before it could be supported.

The move was criticised on Monday by nearby North Presentation primary school, which has 70 boys in classes up to first class among its 232 pupils and stands to lose most if male pupils start school elsewhere. The board of St Vincent’s Primary School, which has 50 boys among its 309 pupils, issued a statement last night saying the latest proposal is causing immediate nervousness and long-standing uncertainty about the future direction of education in the parish.