City of Dublin Education and Training Board and Educate Together Announce Partnership Agreement In Relation To Two Dublin Schools

City of Dublin Education and Training Board (CDETB) and Educate Together (ET) are delighted to announce that they have agreed to work together as Patron Partners under a Model Agreement and agreed Articles of Management for Cabra Community College, and Saint Kevins College in Crumlin to operate both schools with genuine respect for the ethos of both organisations.

Recognising the strengths and challenges of both organisations, the aim is to ensure the provision of the highest quality, co-educational and equality based educational experience for students. This experience will be built on the principles of equality, community, inclusion and democracy.

Planning has commenced on the emerging partnership and it is envisaged that the process of transitioning from an ETB school to a partnership school will take a period of 2 years. Both organisations are grateful to the DES for its support of the agreement and funding this initiative.

Arrangements are being put in place to ensure the success of this patronage partnership agreement to support students, staff and the parents with an official commencement at school level planned for September 2020. Cabra Community College and St Kevin’s, Crumlin are currently enrolling for September 2020.

Speaking at the signing of the agreement, Carol Hanney, CEO of CDETB said “building on the success of Clonturk College, now in its 4th year, I am delighted to be continuing our collaboration with Educate Together in Cabra and Crumlin. The two Colleges are embedded in their communities and will be offering an inclusive education where children of all faiths and none will be welcomed and respected; where the richness of different social and ethnic backgrounds are cherished; where the child will always be at the centre of everything we do and where exploration, innovation and excellence will be encouraged. I look forward to working with Educate Together in the next year as we plan this exciting adventure.’

Paul Rowe, CEO of Educate Together said ‘establishing two partnership schools, one in the North side of Dublin and one on the Southside adds to the growing Educate Together network and improves parental choice in urban areas where establishing a new school is not an option. I am delighted that Educate Together and CDETB have agreed to work together to support the transition of these two school communities and demonstrate a model that could be replicated elsewhere. There is a real chance that this initiative may prove to be a template for further partnerships in other parts of the country.’ 

In September 2016, Educate Together and City of Dublin Education and Training Board (CDETB) opened a new school, Clonturk Community College  under a model agreement in which Educate Together became a patron partner with the CDETB. The school has been shown to be a success.  Educate Together and the ETB are working to secure long-term accommodation for this college as soon as possible.