Cork girls school to welcome boys for first time next September

Presentation Secondary School in Ballyphehane has been an all-girls school for 57 years

Presentation Secondary School, Ballyphehane, announced on Tuesday it to become co-educational from next September. Picture: Gerard Bonus

After almost 60 years as an all-girls school, Presentation Secondary School, Ballyphehane, is to become co-educational from next September.

The Catholic all-girls voluntary secondary school announced the move on Tuesday after receiving approval from the Department of Education.

The announcement followed a consultative process with the board of management, staff, parents’ council and the student council as well as parent bodies and schools in the community.

The transition comes after a 57-year history as an all-girls school, whose past pupils include Gemma O’Connor and Linda O’Connell, both All-Ireland camogie winners.

“Pres Ballyphehane has deep roots locally,” said principal Barry O’Shea. 

“As a result, we are closely connected to the social needs of the community we serve.

This is a big change for us but we are backed by the positive insights and feedback from our consultative process and are excited by the opportunities that lie ahead for everyone, when we open our doors to all.”

Presentation Secondary School, Ballyphehane, is currently under the patronage of CEIST (Catholic Education, an Irish Schools’ Trust). 

As a Deis school, it has established close links and access to University College Cork and Munster Technological University (MTU).

In 2023, more than 80% of its Leaving Cert students progressed to further education colleges.

Open evening

The school’s enrolment campaign for 2024/25 has just commenced and an open evening will be held in the school on Wednesday, October 4, from 6.30pm to 8.30pm.

"The open evening on October 4 is our earliest opportunity to present the school as a co-ed learning environment to parents and to our prospective September 2024 first year students," Mr O'Shea added. 

"We understand that choosing a secondary school is one of the most important decisions a parent can make.

"We look forward to showcasing our excellent on-site facilities and resources together with outlining our wide-ranging and varied curriculum designed to support the individual learning style and needs of each student.”

A number of previously single-sex schools around the country reopened their doors as co-ed schools this September: Rathdown School in Dublin marked its 50th anniversary by welcoming boys, while St Jarlath's College in Tuam welcomed girls for the first time. 

From September 2024, St Patrick’s College on Gardiner’s Hill, Cork, also plans to become co-educational, as it accepts male students into first year.  

North Presentation Secondary School in Cork city this September welcomed both girls and boys for the first time. The school is also under the patronage of CEIST. 

Last year, the proposed merger of St Vincent's Secondary School and North Presentation Secondary School was called off following opposition from parents at St Vincent's.