School improvement works have been carried out on a lot of schools in Bray in recent years and David has supported many of them in their dealings with the Department of Education and Science. Works at St. Kilian’s Community School, St Fergal’s Junior and Senior National Schools, Bray School Project, Marino School, St Thomas’ College, St Andrew’s National School, Presentation College, Loreto Secondary School, St Patrick’s GNS and St Cronan’s BNS have all been carried out.
Plans are being prepared for a new school at St Brendan’s CBS, a new site and school for Colaiste Raithin, a new school for Gael Scoil Ui Ceadaigh and the amalgamation and new building for St Peter’s BNS and St Philomena’s GNS.
In addition to works carried out on local schools, Bray also has a very impressive programme in the area of adult education. Both Bray Senior College, through the Bray Institute of Further Education and programmes offered at the Putland Road Centre run by County Wicklow VEC have given many people the opportunity to return to education and develop new skills.
Government commitment to support fourth level education is an opportunity for Bray. It is important that local third level bodies continue their programmes beyond what they offer at present, that the needs of local industry are met through the local education system and that those coming out of school at whatever level have the necessary skills that local employers are looking for.
To ensure that students are given every opportunity to continue as far as they want in the education system and to leave with an acceptable level of education, it is vital that priority investment occurs at primary level, with investment in programmes, supports and lower teacher-pupil ratios. However, to support students in their latter years at third or fourth level adequate finance and timely payments of student grants must be put in place.
Emphasis must also be placed on providing assistance to those students with special needs and to their parents too. The importance of early intervention and access to suitable services is a must for students that need support. New teachers need to be trained and recruited and training must also be ongoing for existing teachers.
Bray’s School Completion Programme and the Home School Liaison Officers in many of the secondary schools have made great efforts in supporting those who might otherwise leave school early or have poor attendance records. These supports must be protected, enhanced and expanded throughout the town.