A CAMPAIGN by the multidenominational body Educate Together for recognition as a second-level patron has received a boost.
The Department of Education has indicated that the patronage of the proposed new second-level school in Lucan, Dublin, is under review.
The current patronage, allocated to the Vocational Education Committee (VEC), has been withdrawn.
Educate Together, which runs 56 primary schools across the State, made its first application for secondary school patronage in Lucan in January 2008.
A spokesman for Minister for Education Batt O’Keeffe said yesterday: “The issue of the timing of delivery of the new school is currently being considered in the context of the changing demographics of the area.
“The question of the patronage and management model of the new school will be reconsidered as part of the broader examination of policy issues relating to the recognition process for second-level schools.”
Educate Together chief executive Paul Rowe said yesterday: “This is a most welcome development. The department plans to conduct a review as part of a broader review of second-level patronage. It is our hope that the expressed preference of a substantial number of Lucan parents for an Educate Together second-level school will be a decisive factor in this review.”
Educate Together runs five primary schools in the locality, which will turn out 300 entrant second-level pupils a year when at full capacity.
It says the majority of the parents involved want their children to continue their education under the multidenominational ethos of Educate Together.
Until now, the department has adopted a cautious approach to Educate Together’s demand for recognition as a second-level patron, despite the organisation’s success at primary level.
The department appears concerned that a move by Educate Together into second level could damage enrolment at schools run by the VECs.
In Lucan, local parent action groups have been lobbying for an Educate Together second-level school since 2002.
Chairwoman of the group Carol Dunne said last night: “We are absolutely delighted. We have fought so long to be heard. Even after the original announcement of VEC patronage, we didn’t give up.
“We will continue to keep active until an Educate Together second-level school has been formally confirmed in Lucan.”
Educate Together has also applied for second-level patronage for schools in Waterford and Gorey.
There are 10,000 pupils attending 56 Educate Together primary schools. The network hopes to open 45 more primary schools within the next three years.