A HIGH-PROFILE dispute at De La Salle College in west Belfast appears to have had little effect on applications to the school.
The non-grammar school, which is typically oversubscribed, again filled all 163 of its first year places this month.
The total number of boys seeking a spot dropped, however, from 223 last year to 179 in 2016.
Figures published by the Education Authority show the school has been much sought-after in each of the last four years.
The 223 applications received last year was up from 188 and 179 in 2014 and 2013 respectively.
It had been feared that interest among parents would fall due to a long-running dispute which saw protests at the school.
A recently-published independent report concluded that a serious breakdown of working relationships had impacted substantially on pupils.
A three-person panel made 40 recommendations to resolve a "wide range of issues".
The panel said it "would not understate the seriousness of the circumstances in this school" and added "there was no single cause or factor that led to the level of deterioration in working relationships".
"A combination of a sequence of incidents and issues, along with some systemic weaknesses, and in the processes of the responsible authorities, were all contributory factors."
These included prolonged periods of acting appointments in key school leadership posts and the absence of any structured support or monitoring systems in such circumstances; critical internal audit reports and conflicts and differences involving the board of governors, principal, senior school leaders and staff.
The Council for Catholic Maintained Schools (CCMS) has said work is "well underway in terms of implementing the recommendations".
The school is facing a second separate independent safeguarding review, which has been sought by CCMS and the board of governors. A body has not yet been confirmed to carry this out.
It is expected to look at policies, practice, training and understanding in relation to safeguarding issues.
It will also look closely at a specific incident at the school that is understood to have taken place in 2013.
Catholic Church officials received three complaints about the visit of a priest to De La Salle College at that time.
Meanwhile, it is hoped that the school will soon appoint a new vice-principal from within to fill the vacancy left by Marion O'Neill, who has been promoted to acting principal.
