Equality-based education provider Educate Together held its first public meeting in Westport last Thursday night in the Castlecourt Hotel. Featuring talks by Educate Together regional development officer, Jennifer Buttner, and Castlebar ETNS principal Sarah Calvey, according to the organisers the meeting attracted a large turnout and has raised hopes that Educate Together’s Westport campaign will succeed in opening a primary school in 2018.
Jennifer Buttner, regional development officer for Educate Together, said: "We are so encouraged by the interest and enthusiasm shown at the meeting in Westport. There are 13 primary schools in the wider Westport area - 12 of these are Catholic and one of which is Church of Ireland. However, there is a high demand among parents for an alternative. Educate Together will do its utmost to facilitate the opening of this equality-based school.”
The Government’s commitment to increasing school choice for families as outlined in its Action Plan for Education has raised the hopes of Westport parents that they will finally get their Educate Together primary school. Linda McNulty, Educate Together campaigner and resident of Westport, said: "An Educate Together primary school would greatly enhance the vibrant community of Westport, not merely because of its non-denominational nature, but also because of its inclusive equality-based ethos and its creative approach to education. Thankfully Westport is growing and thriving, but with that we need a school that facilitates the expanding diversity of our community."
More information on Educate Together’s campaign in Westport can be found at: www.educatetogether.ie/westport Contact [email protected] if you would like to help with the Educate Together in Westport campaign.
