Cork public to be asked who should run a new 16-class primary school

Parents and guardians in Carrigaline have been asked to give their views on patronage for a primary school set to open in the town next year.

A 16-classroom school is expected to open in Carrigaline next year and parents and guardians have been asked to choose between four possible patrons: An Foras Pátrúnachta; Cork Education and Training Board; Educate Together; and Scoil Sinéad Limited.

Parents and guardians of children who are due to enrol in primary school from 2020-2024 in Carrigaline are being invited to complete an online survey to decide.

Carrigaline parents and guardians can indicate whether they would prefer English or Irish as the language of instruction at the school.

The survey will remain open on the Department of Education’s website until December 22.

The survey allows parents and guardians to select which model of patronage they prefer.

Inviting people to take part in the online survey, Minister for Education, Joe McHugh said:

“It is a great opportunity for mothers and fathers and guardians to help to shape the education of the future.

“The wishes of parents and guardians, together with the extent of diversity already available in these areas, will be key to deciding the type of schools we will have in the future.

“I urge as many people as possible who live in the areas and have children going to primary school in the next few years to make their voices heard,” he added.

The patronage process for new schools is overseen by the independent New Schools Establishment Group (NSEG).

This group, which was set up in 2011 to advise the Minister on the patronage of new schools, will analyse the report on the online surveys and consider other criteria before issuing a recommendation.