We, the undersigned parent body of Castletownroche National School in North Co. Cork (roll number 14107U), call for the construction of an onsite, multi-purpose PE/Assembly Hall in support of the complete education of each child enrolled in the school, both now and in the future, and in the interests and enactment of Health and Wellbeing and Inclusivity policies. We, therefore, request that Department of Education funding be allocated to the construction of a permanent, multi-purpose PE/Assembly Hall, on school premises.

Background:

• Castletownroche NS was built in 1965 on a spacious, rural site. It consisted then, as now, of a total of 5 mainstream classrooms, 2 cloakrooms, 2 washrooms, a boiler house and 2 shelters.
• No further permanent buildings have been built nor has there been an upgrade in facilities in the last 60 years.
• The school demographic has evolved with an uptake in school enrolment numbers and support for children with special educational needs, through the provision of an ASD classroom (September 2024).
• The Primary School Curriculum has also changed significantly, with Physical Education now a key component of the Health and Wellbeing Curriculum.
• We understand the Department of Education has agreed to the reconfiguration of two existing classrooms to create a dedicated SEN ASD Classroom, as well as the building of both a new mainstream classroom and a new SET room. This is in response to the current set-up at the school where sufficient classroom space is severely limited.

Whilst we acknowledge the agreement to fund two new classrooms, we, as a parent body, do not believe the department’s proposals go far enough in supporting the wellbeing and educational needs and development of our children. Our concerns are as follows:

1. Our children are currently required to walk 500 metres to and from the village Community Hall for PE lessons, which do not or cannot otherwise take place outside. This involves crossing the busy N72 road (the main Mallow/Fermoy route) where there are no pedestrian crossings or plans to build one. It also involves moving equipment to and from the school. This poses a risk to our children’s safety, each time.
2. It also takes time away from other, more necessary activities that our children should be able to engage in.
3. When the weather is not conducive to walking to the Community Hall, as it often is not, PE lessons cannot take place as there is no appropriate or alternative space within the school.
4. Children with special educational needs are excluded from taking part in PE lessons in the Community Hall. The N73 is the main arterial route connecting the towns of Mallow and Fermoy. Each day, several hundred HGV vehicles utilise this route. Castletownroche is a rural village surrounded by agricultural land and farms. Large agricultural vehicles utilise these roads routinely. All of the afore mentioned vehicles are noisy and intimidating and they are a source of anxiety and upset for children with Special Educational Needs as well as mainstream kids. There are several children at the school who pose a flight risk and for these reasons, travelling to the Community Hall is not an option.
5. All of which disadvantages our children and undermines the school’s delivery of the Health and Wellbeing Programme and PE Curriculum. According to the Department of Education’s own policy, Physical Education ‘is an integral part of the educational process, without which the education of the children is incomplete.’
6. The Department of Education has recently rejected such a proposal from the school, which we do not believe is in the best interests of the school’s needs and requirements.

In light of the information outlined above, we ask that the department re-considers and allows a request for the permanent construction of a muilt-purpose PE/Assembly Hall on the spacious site of Castletownroche NS. A new building would also better support our children’s participation in the Arts Curriculum as it would provide an appropriate space for the creation and enjoyment of Drama, Dance and Music. The school would further nurture and develop links with the local community by opening the new space up for night classes, indoor sports, Scouting etc. Assemblies, performances and other school celebrations could also take place regularly in a dedicated space, enhancing the wellbeing and experience of children and their families.

Points of reference:

• The Primary School curriculum
• Wellbeing Policy Statement and Framework for Practice (2018 - to date)
• Report on the consultation on the Draft Primary Curriculum specifications (December 2024)
• Updated Procedures for use of School buildings and Sports Facilities outside of School Hours (Minister Foley’s office, June 2024)

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