All in a day's grind: A breakdown of facts and figures relating to grind schools.

The Institute of Education, Dublin

Founded: 1969

Number of full-time students: 800 (includes students from former Pre-University Centre now owned by Institute)

Full-time fees: €4,450

Part-time fees: One subject €185- €210 per term

Number of teachers: 30-40

Number of full-time teachers: Over 20.

Number of teachers also working in State/fee-paying schools: About 8

Number also working in universities: 1

Are teachers allowed to hold union membership? The part-time teachers are usually members of the ASTI or TUI. Full-time teachers have no union representation.

Average student/teacher ratio: 35:1

Recruitment: Head of the Institute Ray Kearns says he uses his wide network of contacts to recruit the best. Opponents accuse it of "poaching" the best teachers, especially for part-time work.

Teachers' starting salary: Institute claims all full- time teachers earn more than their counterparts in the State system. Part-timers earn up to €65 per hour, depending on experience, the institute claims.

Is pay performance related?

All full-time teachers have individual contracts. Pupils fill out teacher assessment form, rating teachers, classes, etc.

What percentage of the Leaving Cert class went on to third level? Institute claims vast majority go on to college. The Institute is the top feeder school for UCD and Trinity. Critics say the huge number taking the Leaving Cert there distorts the statistics. The Institute says it sends more students to the main universities and medical schools in Ireland and Britain than any other Irish college.

Leaving Cert points average 2002: The Institute does not publish any precise figures. Its website gives examples of repeat students whose performance has improved by several grades.

Bruce College

(Dublin, Limerick, Cork, Belfast)

Number of full-time students: 1,100 (Dublin 400)

Number of part-time, evening or grind students: About 1,000.

Full-time fees: €4,900

Part-time fees: €750 per year per subject for weekly tution; about €25 per week.

Number of repeat students in Leaving Cert class 2002: 300 (Dublin 100)

Number of full-time teachers: 50 (Dublin - 18)

Number of part-timers: 40

Number of teachers also working in State/fee-paying schools: About 20.

Number of teachers also working in universities: One (except Belfast - 50 per cent)

Are teachers allowed to hold union membership? No prohibition. Full-time teachers on personal contracts.

Average student/teacher ratio: Junior cycle 15:1, senior cycle 27:1

Recruitment: Advertising, referral

Teachers' starting salary: According to experience. Not all staff earn more than their State counterparts.

Is pay performance related? Yes. Pupils fill out student assessment forms. College also takes on board feedback from pupils and parents.

Percentage of 2002 Leaving Cert class going to third level: Bruce claims 95 per cent (Belfast 100 per cent)

Leaving Cert points average 2002: Bruce says 20 per cent of students attained over 450 points (National average 3.3 per cent). 54 per cent attained over 366 points, it claims.

Ashfield College, Templeogue, Dublin

Number of full-time students: 300

Number of part-time, evening or grind students: 250

Full-time fees: €4470

Part-time fees: €225 per subject - €645 for four subjects

Number of repeat students in Leaving Cert class 2002: 60

Number of teachers employed: 35

Number of full-time teachers: 28

Number of teachers also working in State schools: 3

Number of teachers also working in universities: 0

Are teachers allowed to hold union membership? Yes

Average student/teacher ratio: 25:1

Recruitment: Head hunting, advertising, reference

Teachers' starting salary: €25,000

Is pay performance related? Yes

Percentage of 2002 Leaving Cert class going to third level: Ashfield claims 90-95 per cent

compiled by Louise Holden