Delivery of expansion at Newtown School is critical
Newtown School in Waterford City
Newtown school has served Waterford for 228 years.
It is the only quaker secondary school in the republic of Ireland, and has a vast history of innovation in education.
Despite this, the school’s facilities are operating under considerable stress, as student numbers grow, and promises for expansion provided by the Department of Education remain unfulfilled.
In 2014, Newtown secondary school joined the State’s free-education scheme, moving to full Exchequer funding.
Under this process, the school committed to grow to 600 students.
The school has kept its commitment, and student numbers have been growing steadily, now standing at 415 students.
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A major redevelopment was designed to deliver that agreed expansion, including a new three-storey classroom block, a PE hall, a two-classroom special-education setting for students with autism, and a refurbishment of the site’s protected heritage buildings, Wyse House and the Mountmellick Library.
This scheme is fully designed, consented and tender-ready.
The single outstanding step is the Department's sanction to proceed to Stage 3 (Tender).
Despite this, the Department of Education is yet to lend its signature.
A briefing note circulated by the school recently states that the need for delivery is now critical, and the school is already operating in crisis.
Buildings on the campus are closed on health-and-safety grounds and emergency stabilisation works to the protected Wyse House also remain unfinished.
On the vital need for expansion, the briefing notes states: “Newtown is fully designed, consented and tender-ready, and meets the Department’s own stated priorities — acute SEN need, serious building-condition and health-and-safety risk, and strong regional demographics — yet it has not yet received the go-ahead to proceed under its ADAPT ’18 commitment. We are seeking the Minister’s support to authorise the project to proceed to tender without further delay.”
Speaking on the matter this week, Cllr Donal Barry said that the school has been an integral part of the “educational, social and cultural fabric of Waterford since its foundation in 1798".
“The school has consistently embraced innovation, being among the first schools in Ireland to provide dedicated science facilities and practical education, reflecting a longstanding commitment to preparing young people for the changing needs of society," he said.
"However, many of the school's buildings and facilities have served successive generations of students and now require significant investment to meet the expectations of a modern educational environment. Sensitive modernisation and enhancement of the campus are essential to ensure that Newtown School can continue to provide high-quality teaching and learning spaces, support contemporary educational practices, and remain competitive in attracting both local and international students."
"By modernising its facilities while respecting its unique heritage and character, the school will be well placed to continue its longstanding contribution to education, community life and the economic and cultural development of Waterford, Ireland and the wider international community for generations to come."
