Drogheda Educate Together Secondary School to remain at Mill Road

Drogheda Educate Together Secondary School is to remain permanently on the Mill Road at Colpe.

The Department of Education has rowed back on its decision to relocate the school to temporary accommodation on a site at Rathmullen Road, Drogheda, which is a 40 minute journey away from its current site.

This follows a major outcry by parents, students and the local community at what they described as a ridiculous decision.

The school's parent body. Educate Together, said it is understood that the Department of Education has reached agreement in principle to purchase a permanent site for the school, which incorporates its current temporary site on Mill Road, so that a permanent building can be constructed at the school’s current location.

The School's Parents Building Committee who campaigned against the move said they were delighted and relieved.

"We are extremely grateful to all of our local TDs who worked tirelessly over the past weeks to ensure our school remains on the Mill Road," said spokesperson, Rory Scott.

"We also really appreciate all the support given to us by the local community and representatives over the last three weeks, including the over 3600 people who signed our petition.

"We would also like to thank Meath County Council for their Trojan work in helping get this over the line in partnership with the Department of Education and the landowner."

"Most importantly, thank you to all our parents, students, our amazing school principal Susan Campbell, teachers and staff for so passionately supporting our school and rejecting the move. Your voice to ensure our wonderful school remained at the heart of our community was heard loud and clear and was instrumental in creating a strong, united message to government."

Parent, Liz Donnelly said students can now enjoy the rest of the midterm and are assured that their school and parents always have their best interests at heart.

"We know the school staff can’t wait to welcome their students back to Drogheda ETSS on the Mill Road very soon.

"Whilst we very much appreciate that the decision to relocate our school has been reversed, we call on the relevant departments to engage with key stakeholders, in particular students and parents before decisions such as this are taken in an arbitrary manner. This has been an incredibly stressful time for students, parents and the schools staff and we do hope that no other school and community has to endure what we just experienced.

"We trust all key parties will ensure that building works begin as soon as possible and we look forward to seeing our permanent school flourish on the Mill Road as a key part of our powerful, united community."