St Paul’s National School will be accepting girls and boys into Junior Infants this September 2022.
For over 50 years St Paul's BNS has been boys only, and from September it will enroll girls into Junior Infants and its preschool.
In a statement, Suzanne Griffin, Principal of St Paul's said "this important change to our admission policy reflects a decade-long ambition by the Board of Management, school leadership and the professional community to offer a more comprehensive, rounded, diverse and inclusive learning environment, one reflective of contemporary society."
She went on to say that "significant academic research" strongly endorses co-educational learning in terms of positive academic and social outcomes for children.
It's also expected the mixed school will make life easier for busy families, with a one-stop-school drop off, same uniforms, and a book rental scheme.
The change comes after what's described as "significant and careful consultation" with stakeholders including children, parents, other schools, Waterford Council, the Department of Education and Bishop Cullinan.
"We are grateful to everyone who participated in the extensive consultation exercise. The significant projected demographic growth in the school’s hinterland suggests that the change should have minimal impact on other schools in Waterford and support children learning closer to their home," Suzanne Griffin added.
More here on the latest for Waterford.
Photo Credit: St Paul's Primary School website
