New site for north Wicklow school to be reviewed
The Wicklow PeopleThe Department of Education have confirmed that a site assessment of the current Ravenswell location in Bray will take place shortly, to determine its suitability as the permanent home for North Wicklow Educate Together Secondary School (NWETSS).
The announcement marks long-awaited progress for the school community, following years of uncertainty after the previously earmarked Fassaroe site failed to materialise.
The Department’s site assessment will examine whether the existing buildings at Ravenswell can be reconfigured and expanded, or if a full rebuild would be required. The findings will determine whether the site can become the school’s permanent home.
The school was first opened in 2016 in temporary premises in the old Presentation College School on Putland Road in Bray and has been searching for a permanent home ever since then.
Their current school in has had a lot of work done to improve the facilities but still the children have no PE facilities on site, while the current size of the school at just under 400 pupils is nowhere near to meeting the demand.
In 2021 alone close to €6 million was spent on temporary accommodation for the school.
Social Democrats TD for Wicklow Jennifer Whitmore has welcomed the news and paid tribute to the school management.
“The school has been operating out of unsuitable and inadequate facilities for years yet has continued to deliver an excellent standard of education and inclusion for its students. That’s a testament to the dedication of the staff, leadership, and parents,” Deputy Whitmore said.
“NWETSS has built a strong reputation as a leader in access, inclusion, and diversity serving around 325 students and acting as a model school in how to support neurodivergent students and their families.”
“It’s only right that such a forward-thinking and inclusive school has a permanent, purpose-built home that reflects the quality of education it provides,” Deputy Whitmore continued.
The Wicklow TD said she has worked closely with the school community over the years and will continue to support them as the assessment and planning process moves forward.
“I want to acknowledge the persistence and positivity of the school leadership and board of management, who have never lost sight of their goal to secure a proper home for the school” she said.
’ll continue to work with them and the Department to ensure that this next phase brings the certainty and facilities the students and staff deserve,” Deputy Whitmore concluded.