Parents of Cork students at soon-to-be amalgamated school criticise merger plans

'They have not listened to the voices of our girls or our parents'

St Vincent's Secondary School on St Mary's Road in Cork City. Picture: Denis Boyle

Parents of Cork students whose secondary school is to be amalgamated with another from next year say the voices of students and parents have been ignored by the school's trustees and independent consultant over the move.

It was announced last month that the Department of Education had approved a proposal from Catholic Education Irish Schools' Trust (CEIST) and the Religious Sisters of Charity to amalgamate St Vincent’s Secondary School on St Mary's Road in Cork City with the North Presentation Secondary School in Farranree from next September. Both schools are all-girl schools.