Proposed New Educate Together National School in Newbridge Town - 4th February 2003

Educate Together are pleased to announce the application of South Kildare Educate Together for a new school due to start in September 2003.Educate Together is confident that the development of South Kildare Educate Together school in Newbridge is clearly in the public interest. It will clearly contribute to the balanced development of the national school system in areas of rapid housing growth.

In 2002 Educate Together opened seven new schools, more than twice the number of new schools opened by all other sectors of education. The progress of the Educate Together sector is a strong indication of the growing demand from the general public for schools that respect and cherish the identity of children from all religious, social and cultural backgrounds. Educate Together Schools run according to the principle that

"all children having equal rights of access to the school, and children of all social, cultural and religious backgrounds are equally respected"

Limerick City East, Wicklow, Ballina, Rush and Lusk, Ongar/Clonee have also had very successful pre-enrolment meetings and are still taking names.

The formation of new schools is based solely on the voluntary effort of parents. Members come from all walks of life. The voluntary groups have been told that they will have to source temporary accommodation for up to 10 years before the state will be in a position to supply permanent school buildings. The schools get no funding until the school opens.