500 signatures reached
To: Minister of Education, Department of Education, Primary Staffing Appeals Board
Save our Teacher! Urgent Support Needed – Cloughduv N.S.
At the end of September, Cloughduv N.S. school narrowly missed the required enrolment quota to retain a developing teaching post. The Board of Management submitted a detailed appeal showing that additional pupils are due to enrol later this term, many linked to new local housing developments.
The school also provided clear projections of enrolment growth over the next two years, which will not only sustain but increase staffing needs. Despite this evidence, the Department rejected the appeal, confirming that the post will be suppressed on October 24th—only three days after the school was notified on October 21st.
We are asking the Dept. (Appeals Board) for flexibility and balance to retain this developing teaching post temporarily until the next academic year.
Why is this important?
It makes little sense to remove a teacher now when the school will meet the required pupil numbers in just a few weeks, with at least two confirmed new enrolments in December and January. The loss of this post means larger class sizes, disrupted learning, and increased pressure on already stretched staff.
In Cloughduv village 2 years ago, we had approx. 200 houses. Now there are over 450, being occupied by new families. Our school enrolment has grown each year as new families received keys for new homes. Pupil enrolment in Sept ’23 was 141 and is expected to be 182+ next Sept.
Our Special Educational Needs (SEN) team is already operating under significant strain to support a growing number of children who need additional help. This decision will further impact the quality of teaching, inclusion, and pupil well-being across the school.
While understanding that the Department must follow clear criteria, we believe there is a strong case for flexibility, understanding, and compassion in this situation. Allowing Cloughduv N.S. to retain this developing post temporarily until the end of the school year would provide stability for pupils and staff and allow time for the Department to see the school’s continued enrolment growth first-hand
In Cloughduv village 2 years ago, we had approx. 200 houses. Now there are over 450, being occupied by new families. Our school enrolment has grown each year as new families received keys for new homes. Pupil enrolment in Sept ’23 was 141 and is expected to be 182+ next Sept.
Our Special Educational Needs (SEN) team is already operating under significant strain to support a growing number of children who need additional help. This decision will further impact the quality of teaching, inclusion, and pupil well-being across the school.
While understanding that the Department must follow clear criteria, we believe there is a strong case for flexibility, understanding, and compassion in this situation. Allowing Cloughduv N.S. to retain this developing post temporarily until the end of the school year would provide stability for pupils and staff and allow time for the Department to see the school’s continued enrolment growth first-hand