Last month, we reported on the sharp drop in enrolment among non fee-paying schools in Dublin. The good news is that some schools within the free education sector are bucking the trend. So where did it all go right? Louise Holden reports
Over the past 20 years enrolment in many State schools in Dublin has collapsed because of the drift towards fee-paying and grind schools.
Some schools have seen a drop in enrolment of up to 60 per cent. Much respected schools such as Sion Hill in Blackrock and O'Connells in North Richmond Street have suffered, despite a continuing reputation for academic excllence and high standards.
Fee-paying schools in Dublin have enjoyed a surge in enrolments, with expensive private secondary schools such as Sandford Park in Ranelagh and Loreto Abbey in Dalkey reporting 70 per cent increases in student numbers in 20 years.
If parents choose to, and can afford to, send their children to private schools then what's the problem?
Quite a lot, actually. The fallout can be seen in cases such as Greendale Community School in Kilbarrack, forced to close after falling numbers left the school bereft of high achievers, subject choice and, eventually, key teachers. The drain of students from the free scheme sector undermines the ability of some schools to offer students an education in a mixed ability, mixed social environment.
Some fee-paying schools are selective about the students they accept and those of lower ability who are enrolled are often shepherded through the system by expensive private tutors.
Of those parents who are choosing State schools for their children, many may not be fully committed to the schools they have chosen. A teacher from one south Dublin State school reports that half of his Leaving Certificate students have abandoned the school for the Institute of Education in Leeson Street.
He doesn't believe that the quality of teaching at his school is in question - he believes that these parents used the State school system as a holding centre for their children while they saved up money for a grind school. They never intended to leave their children in the school beyond transition year.
What's the future, then, for Dublin's State schools?
Perhaps those that are floundering could learn from the minority that are holding their own against the tide of two-tier schooling. About a dozen State schools in the capital are reporting rising numbers and long waiting lists, despite competition from fee-paying schools in their localities.
They are, in fact, delivering a better overall service than the fee-paying schools for one key reason. All the schools featured below report low "leakage" to grind schools compared to their competitors in the fee-paying sector. While expensive fee-paying schools are losing students to the grind sector each year, the following high-performing State schools are enjoying high transfer rates to third level while boasting open enrolment policies and minimal losses to private Leaving Cert colleges.
Patricia Fitzsimon, principal of the stubbornly popular State girls' school Muckross Park, attributes her school's success to a culture of academic success in the school that encourages weaker students to strive for honours subjects. She admits, however, that like every school, her students are seeking support elsewhere. "Our students buy grinds like there's no tomorrow. We've good teachers but we're no better than any other school."
So why is Muckross Park, and a handful of other State schools, bucking the trend in the capital and surviving the flight to the fee-payers? Read the following panels for some insights . . .
St Declan's College Nephin Road, Cabra
Percentage increase in enrolments since 1985:
8.8 per cent
Reputation:
Very good reputation for academic achievement. Open enrolment. Edmund Rice, Christian Brothers' ethos. One of the leading schools in Dublin in Gaelic football, hurling, soccer and basketball. Five players on the current Dublin panel are past pupils. Formidable public-speaking and debating teams. Drama, choir and chess are equally popular. Extensive school-community links.
Unique features:
Modern computer room, networked computer in every room. Sports hall, fitness room, adjacent pitches. Dedicated learning support suite equipped with laptops and extensive resources. Dynamic student and parent councils. Immersion project in Zambia. Comenius language project (Léargas funded). Homework club.
Local demographic profile:
Extends from Cabra/Navan Road to Castleknock/Blanchardstown and beyond. Growing population with many past pupils moving back into the area.
Subjects/programmes offered:
Wide range of academic and practical subjects (mathematics, sciences, business, languages, history, IT, art, woodwork, metalwork, construction studies, classical studies), transition year option and Leaving Certificate Vocational Programme.
Other schools available in the area:
Coláiste Mhuire, Coláiste Eanna, St Vincent's, Brunswick Street and O'Connells, Castleknock College and Belvedere College.
Transfer rates to third level/further education:
80 per cent
Number of 2006 Leaving Cert students who have left to complete their studies elsewhere (ie The Institute of Education, Bruce College etc):
None
Coláiste Choilm, Swords
Percentage increase in enrolments since 1985:
35.5 per cent
Reputation:
Very good academic reputation, in the Christian Brothers' tradition. Open enrolment, mixed ability intake.
Unique features:
New building, annual trip abroad, reputation for soccer, rugby, golf, basketball, athletics, badminton. Strong learning support department. Music, computers.
Local demographic profile:
Very high population in the area which continues to grow as new housing developments go up and young families move to the area.
Subjects/programmes offered:
Broadly academic with some practical subjects including technical drawing, agricultural science and construction technology. Optional transition year.
Other schools available in the area:
Fingal Community School, St Finian's, Loreto Swords.
Transfer rates to third level/further education:
70 per cent.
Number of 2006 Leaving Cert students who have left to complete their studies elsewhere (ie The Institute of Education, Bruce College etc):
Two out of 120
Dominican College Muckross Park Donnybrook
Percentage increase in enrolments since 1985:
8.7 per cent
Reputation:
Academic. Dominican ethos. High return of daughters of past pupils.
Unique features:
Culture of high achievement. Ordinary level offered in general subjects only in exam years. Open enrolment.
Local demographic profile:
Muckross has a very wide catchment area with students coming from as far away as Donabate and Enniskerry.
Subjects/programmes offered:
Academic - no Leaving Cert Applied (LCA) or Leaving Cert Vocational Programme (LCVP) offered. Compulsory transition year.
Other schools available in the area:
The Teresian School, Mount Anville, Sion Hill, Loreto Foxrock, Alexandra College.
Transfer rates to third level/further education:
90 per cent
Number of 2006 Leaving Cert students who have left to complete their studies elsewhere (ie The Institute of Education, Bruce College etc):
One this year, who later returned. Has lost up to 10 students in other years.
Coláiste Ioseph Naofa, Presentation Convent, Lucan
Percentage increase in enrolments since 1985:
32.2 per cent
Reputation:
Very strong academic reputation especially in languages, offering French, German and Italian at all levels and Japanese and Spanish in transition year. Three foreign-language assistants for the three main languages. Open enrolment.
Unique features:
Music department, choir and orchestra. Active student council. New extension, computer room, language lab, kitchen, art room, sports hall. Learning support department with four staff. Dedicated computer room for learning support. Extra language support for non-national students.
Local demographic profile:
Very wide catchment area with growing populations - Lucan, Leixlip, Palmerstown, Celbridge and beyond.
Subjects/programmes offered:
Wide range of academic subjects including all the sciences. Compulsory transition year. LCVP, two groups, 40 in total each year.
Other schools available in the area:
Coláiste Phadraig, Lucan Community College, Gaelscoil, King's Hospital and Mount Sackville.
Transfer rates to third level/further education:
83 per cent
Number of 2006 Leaving Cert students who have left to complete their studies elsewhere (ie The Institute of Education, Bruce College etc):
A small number each year, according to a spokesperson. Some students return when it does not work out. There is no evidence that these students obtain higher results than those who stay, said the spokesperson.
