Waterford and Wexford Education and Training Board (WWETB) and Educate Together have agreed a Memorandum of Understanding which will allow for a new 1,000 pupil post-primary school under the Designated Community College model to be established in Wexford Town over the next few years.
Chief Executive of WWETB, Kevin Lewis, announced this to the members at the WWETB Board meeting last Tuesday July 14th stating that the new school will be a very welcome addition to the Wexford educational landscape. The new school will replace the WWETB Selskar College based in Westgate, Wexford Town. It will be built on a site to be acquired by the Department of Education and Skills which will also accommodate the new Educate Together primary school. WWETB have agreed to take on the responsibility for the construction of both new buildings. He emphasised that both organisations share a common vision of providing high quality, multi-denominational, equality-based education and these issues are highlighted in the MoU. The detail of the agreement between both education partners will be worked out over the next period of time and will involve representatives of both bodies.
Emer Nowlan, Chief Executive Officer of Educate Together said: “We are delighted to work with WWETB in developing post-primary provision for Wexford Town. Our two organisations share a strong commitment to inclusive education, and we look forward to building on the success of our 5 equality-based primary schools across Wexford and Waterford, and our existing partnerships with other ETBs.”
Cllr. Barbara-Anne Murphy, chairperson of WWETB, welcomed the signing of the agreement to provide a new 1,000 pupil Designated Community College in Wexford town under the patronage of WWETB:
“This new school will build on the legacy of Selskar College as a coeducational, multi-dominational post-primary school. When constructed, this school will provide much needed post-primary student places in Wexford Town and will be a successful provider of high-quality learner-centered education.”
Eimear Ryan, Director of Schools for WWETB paid tribute to the management and staff of Selskar College for their support of this new development and confirmed they will all continue in their current roles. “Our discussions with our new partners, Educate Together, have been very constructive and there is now a very clear shared understanding of our ambition for this new school. Personally, I am very much looking forward to the students and staff learning and teaching in a modern 21st century campus that they so richly deserve” she said.
Kevin Lewis confirmed that the agreement will allow for the school to maintain the links to present WWETB internal and external structures and to enable membership of Educate Together.
