Northern Ireland

Pioneering Irish language school seeking to reduce numbers

It is argued that a reduction in intake will enable the gaelscoil to plan more accurately for the future
It is argued that a reduction in intake will enable the gaelscoil to plan more accurately for the future It is argued that a reduction in intake will enable the gaelscoil to plan more accurately for the future

ONE of the north's first Irish language schools is seeking to reduce its maximum enrolment - but will see no decrease in pupil numbers.

The board of governors of Gaelscoil na bhFál has proposed lowering its annual admissions from 41 to 28 and its overall enrolment from 290 to 196.

If approved, the changes will be in place for September.

Gaelscoil na bhFál was developed in west Belfast in 1984 to meet increased demand for Irish-medium education. It was and was recognised for government funding in 1992.

Its approved enrolment is 290 meaning that on paper it technically has about 120 unfilled places. It would not have room for 290 pupils, however, as it is housed in a purpose-built brick building comprising of seven classrooms.

The average admissions at P1 over the past four years has been 27 pupils and the total enrolment, at 167 in P1 to 7 sits comfortably above the urban threshold of 140.

A case for change document supporting the proposal said Gaelscoil na bhFál was seeking to readdress "the mismatch between the approved admissions and the enrolment

figure".

"In doing so, this will contribute to reducing the number of perceived surplus places across IM schools in Belfast and therefore give a more realistic perspective on the reality of surplus places in IM schools in Belfast," it said.

"If the enrolment number is reduced, the enrolment number will reflect current trends in applications and actual admissions and it will ensure that the continuation of the current trend of single age class groups, which provides the optimum conditions for effective teaching and learning.

"The decrease in admissions and enrolment numbers will have no detrimental impact upon the education of the pupils."