Summary  We are a group of parents campaigning for the establishment of an Educate Together Second-level school in Kildare South.  We have secured almost names of children, whose parents want a Second-level Educate Together school - number is rising daily.  There’s a significant shortfall of Second-level places available in Newbridge & Kilcullen areas currently, and this continues to increase over the coming years.  Kildare Town Community school already enrolling at capacity, in advance of children exiting 2 new primary schools in town from 2019 onwards.  There is a significant lack of choice in the area – we are campaigning for diversity of provision - all bar one of the Newbridge, Kildare and Kilcullen Second-level schools are catholic denomination.  There is no ASD unit in Newbridge.  We are challenging a policy of extensions over new builds, which do not address choice, diversity or provision for ASD unit.

Who Are South Kildare Educate Together 2 nd lvl Group?  We formed in Sept  We are a group of parents from Newbridge & Kildare area, most (but not all) of whom have children in Educate Together NS in those respective towns.  We are from diverse religious backgrounds and none.  We want more choice of provision of Second-level places in the Kildare South area.  Our data shows a large demand for more Second-level places in this area. There is a lack of availability and choice of Second-level places in area, with many children having to travel outside their town to secure a school place.

School Data – Newbridge In June 2015, 582 pupils left Newbridge primary schools. Following enquries to all Newbridge Second-level schools, places were capped at 420. This left a shortfall of 160+ Second-level places* This shortfall continues at a similar pace for coming years (based on initial data analysis completed up to 2018) * Shortfall does not include Newbridge College numbers, as fee-paying and prohibitive to many families in town.

School Data – Kilcullen In June 2015, 144 pupils left Cross & Passion College primary feeder schools, of which there are 9. Due to large demand (over 200 applications 2015) they increased their places on offer for September 2015 from 120 to 144, to satisfy feeder school demand, but many children still did not get a place. In August the school made a change to their enrolment policy, and they will be unable to accommodate children from all feeder schools in the future. This is the case for Sept This shortfall/demand continues to grow significantly for the coming years (based on data analysis completed up to 2018). Where will all these children, who don’t get a place, go ?

School Data – Kildare In Kildare Town, the Community School intake is currently matching demand. However, 2 new primary schools opened in town in last few years – Kildare Town ETNS(KETNS) & Gaelscoil Mhic Aodha. This year alone, KETNS took in 2 Junior Infant Classes, the Gaelscoil took in one Junior Infant class of 32, and the existing St. Brigids NS has increased their intake to 6 Junior Infant classes to meet demand. Of the estimated 230 children in 9 Junior Infant classes in Kildare town schools this year, where will all these children go in 2024? In advance of that, increased demand will be seen in 2019 when first KETNS 6 th class graduate, and again in 2021 when the first Gaelscoil 6 th class graduate. Where will all these children go for Second-level?

Local Area Growth  A recent report* on Kildare shows that the county has the fifth highest population of all local authorities in Ireland.  The 2011 census showed that 210,000 people lived in Kildare which equates to 4.6% of the total population of the state.  Over 28% of Kildare’s population is aged 18 or under. The county’s population has not yet peaked and it is therefore likely that there will be increased demand for children and young people’s services over the next decade. As is evidenced by the increasing number of Junior Infant classes year on year (e.g. Kildare Town)  CSO figures also suggest that the number of primary school-aged children is set to increase by up to 100, 000 by 2021, and the mid-East area of Ireland will experience greater growth than even Dublin. * Report on the Draft Kildare Local Economic and Community Plan

Local Area Growth This highlights that back in 2011, the number of people of secondary school age in the town was Tables 3 and 4 highlight a significant jump in the population of the town that would attend secondary school in approximately five years’ time (which is around now). If there is pressure on school places in the town, then there was evidence back in 2011 that this would become a problem.

Issues Being Experienced  Apart from feeder school issues for the growing number of Educate Together children, many people we talk to, and who have completed expression of interest forms, are genuinely concerned about the significant lack of Second-level places, choice and ASD units in this area.  Many of these parents have children attending schools other than just Educate Together.  Many local children are just not getting places in local Second-level schools of their choice, and are having to travel outside the area to secure places.  All of the local Second-level schools are over-subscribed to.  Even with extra 500 places planned for St. Conleths Community College, all indications are that these will not be sufficient to meet the significant growing demand for more choice in this area.

Campaign Summary to Date In the short time we have been a working committee, we have encountered huge local support for a new Educate Together Second-level School in the local area Expressions of Interest numbers are high and increasing daily – these have been gathered in many ways - online, at public meeting, at public events, local media appeal & canvassing local residents. We have provided sufficient evidence of demand for another choice of Second-level in the area. We have experienced very positive engagement from parents, local businesses, residents association and sports clubs.

Next Steps – Your Help 1.This is an election issues for parents in Kildare South. Make sure you ask your GE16 candidates about provision of second-level education in Kildare South. 2.Support our campaign – it will not impact your child getting a place in another choice of school. In fact if campaign successful, more children have a better chance of securing a place in their first choice school, as more places will be available. – You can register online at – Or fill out a hard copy of form. Thank your for your time and support

We’re Campaigning for a Second-level Educate Together because.. The school would uphold the Educate Together ethos & provide ‘equality of access and esteem to children irrespective of their social, cultural or religious backgrounds’.  An Educate Together school takes a Learner Centred approach. The needs of the student are considered first in all decisions. Integrated learning.  They are Democratically Run. Students, parents and teachers are fully involved in decision-making and planning.  Schools are Equality-based. Students from all social, cultural, religious and non-religious backgrounds have equal rights and respect in the school.  It would be co-educational. An active approach is taken to challenging gender stereotypes and ensuring all students reach their full potential. In summary, management is democratic, relationships are respectful and the school community works to ensure that everyone feels included, throughout the entire school day, and enabled to reach their full potential.