The announcement of eight areas where new second-level schools will be opened by 2016 has been welcomed by Educate Together. The news is of particular interest to parents in North Wicklow and Balbriggan, Co Dublin where there is huge demand for Educate Together second-level schools.
Emer Nowlan, Head of Education and Network Development at Educate Together said:
“Since our first schools were sanctioned last summer, we have seen an increase in demand from parents all over the country for our second-level model. The news of new schools for Balbriggan and North Wicklow is especially welcome since these are areas where we have clusters of primary schools and demand has been building for a number of years”.
Educate Together currently has three second level schools which will open in Blanchardstown, Drogheda and Lucan in 2014. The new set of second level schools announced today are the next phase of a Department of Education and Skills plans to open 20 new second level schools to meet rising demand created by population growth.
Lavinia McClean, Chair of the Balbriggan Action Group said:
“We are delighted that the Minister has recognised the need for a new second-level school in Balbriggan. With so many Educate Together primary schools in the area, it is logical that this should be an Educate Together second-level school, and over 1,000 parents have already expressed their interest”.
Parents in North Wicklow have also been campaigning for a long time for an Educate Together second level school as there are Educate Together National Schools in Bray, Greystones and Wicklow Town. Parents in South Dublin have also expressed a strong interest in having an Educate Together school available for their children.
Jessica Bird, Chair of the North Wicklow Educate Together Second-level Action Group said:
“We are delighted for parents in the North Wicklow / South Dublin area, who have been campaigning for this since 2009. Anyone who would like Educate Together to be the patron of the school should visit www.wicklow2school.ie and fill out an expression of interest “.
Parents who want to find out more about Educate Together second-level schools should our second-level web page.
