Choosing a post-primary school
Information
There are a number of different types of post-primary school in the Irish education system, which allow a measure of choice to parents. The second-level sector comprises voluntary secondary schools, community schools and comprehensive schools, which are generally denominational (for example, Roman Catholic or Protestant). Vocational schools and community colleges are non-denominational.
Voluntary secondary schools
Voluntary secondary schools are privately owned and managed. They are under the trusteeship of religious communities, boards of governors or individuals. The Education Act 1998 requires secondary schools to have boards of management that include parent and teacher representatives. The national organisation representing the boards of management of these schools is the Joint Managerial Body. Voluntary secondary schools may be fee-paying or non-fee-paying. Fee-paying schools are not eligible for Government funding to assist with running costs. Non-fee-paying schools that participate in the free education scheme get a range of grants and subsidies from the State. In the past, voluntary secondary schools provided a more academic education but increasingly, they provide a range of academic, practical and vocational subjects.
Vocational schools and community colleges
Vocational schools and community colleges are owned by the local Education and Training Board (ETB). The boards of management for these schools are sub-committees of the ETB. Membership of the boards include ETB representatives and parent, teacher and community representatives. Vocational schools and community colleges are largely funded by the Department of Education. Initially, these schools were orientated towards providing a technical education and developing manual skills. Today, they generally provide a wide range of both academic and practical subjects. Vocational schools are also the main providers of adult education and community education courses. The national representative body for the Education and Training Boards is the Education and Training Boards Ireland.
Community and comprehensive schools
Community and comprehensive schools were established in the 1960s in order to provide a broad curriculum for all the young people in a community. Many of these schools were established as the result of the amalgamation of voluntary secondary and vocational schools. They offer a wide range of both academic and vocational subjects. They are managed by boards of management which are representative of local interests. The schools are financed entirely by the Department of Education. The representative body for these schools is the Association of Community and Comprehensive Schools.
Rules
The Education Act 1998 makes certain requirements of each secondary school’s board of management:
Admissions policy
The board of management of each school must devise its own admissions policy and make this information available to parents. The admissions policy must comply with section 7 of the Equal Status Act 2000 and the Education (Admission to Schools) Act 2018. You can read more about admissions policies in primary and secondary schools.
School plan
The board of management must produce a school plan. This sets out the long-term vision of the school, its goals and action plans, and its policies and procedures. It includes information on the school’s curriculum, resources and facilities, and opportunities for students and others to participate in the school community. It should also contain the school’s objectives relating to equality of access, participation in the school and provision for students with disabilities or who have other special educational needs.
Code of behaviour
Almost all schools will have a written code of discipline or student behaviour and a set of rules with which pupils are expected to comply.
Rates
Non-fee-paying schools
The majority of post-primary schools in Ireland do not charge fees.
Non-fee-paying voluntary secondary schools receive grants from the Department
of Education and Skills to assist with their running costs. Grants are based on
the number of pupils attending the school. Schools
rated as disadvantaged receive an additional grant per pupil. Some
voluntary secondary schools are fee-paying but the majority participate in the
free education scheme. This means they benefit from additional state allowances
and capitation grants. Community and comprehensive schools and vocational
schools are all funded on the basis of an annual budget.
Fee-paying schools
There are a number of fee-paying secondary schools. Fee-paying schools do not
receive any state grants towards their running costs although the State pays
the salaries of all teachers working in recognised schools. Fees are set each
year by the board of management of the school, subject to approval by the
governing body.
School costs
Even students attending non-fee-paying schools must pay for books and
examination fees. In addition, there are other costs, such as school uniform.
There are various schemes to help
low-income families meet the costs of schooling.
How to apply
For further information on admission and enrolment policies for post-primary schools in your area, check the list of post-primary schools in your area available on the website of the Department of Education and Skills. Then you should contact the post-primary school of your choice.
Where to apply
Further information on types of post-primary schools is available from: