New primary school for Ashbourne

Ashbourne has been identified by the Department of Education as one of only four locations in the country where a new primary school will be established next September. The Department is now involved in consultation with the various patron groups who are interested in setting up the next new primary school in Ashbourne, including Meath VEC. VEC member and former councillor, John Fanning, is a strong advocate for the community national school model pioneered in Navan and run by County Meath VEC. Mr Fanning, a former chairman of Meath VEC and chairman of the Board of Management of Dunshaughlin Community College, Dunshaughlin and member of Ashbourne Community School, Board of Management, said he sees on a daily basis the energy and the commitment to excellence in education that County Meath VEC provides. "The VEC is an active and supportive trustee for Ashbourne Community School and I believe the Community National School model run by the VEC is ideal for our community," he says. "Our Ashbourne community has seen an influx of many new families, part of the development boom of the last 10 years. These families are of diverse and varied backgrounds, religious belief and nationality. The Community National School model looks after the religious beliefs of all students within the curriculum and I think this would suit our community better than any other model," he said. He points out that Meath VEC, as well as being joint trustee of Ashbourne Community School, also runs a highly respected Youthreach programme in Ashbourne as well as adult and community education programmes. mr Fanning added: "The VEC has built up a strong working relationship with Ashbourne and Donaghmore GAA club and provides some of their literacy and adult guidance services in the club premises. I know the VEC has built up strong links with the local parish and would be guaranteed to have a good working relationship with all the existing primary schools. This is what we want among all the schools in town," he said. Meath VEC recently made representations to the Department of Education for another second level school for the town. This new school was recently announced by the Minister for Education, Mary Coughlan and the VEC plans to establish a joint second level school and Gael Coláiste for 800 pupils. The Department of Education and Skills need to make the decision very soon regarding who the new patron is going to be as parents are anxious about places for their children for September next. The other places are Lucan, Mulhuddart and Blanchardstown.