€10M in funding for Royal School Cavan
Cavan’s oldest secondary school is set for a major extension following an award of €10M from the Department of Education.
The Royal School in Cavan Town will benefit from seven new classrooms, two Science labs, a Technology room, Construction room and Graphics lab, Home Economics room, Textile room, and a General Purpose hall.
Principal Padraig Corley told the Celt this week that everyone involved is “delighted” and the allocation is part of an agreement reached when the school changed from private to public under the Free Education Scheme.
“This is year three for us under the Free Education Scheme and we are committed to growing the school, which now has 450 students,” he explained. “And this, of course, is where the funding comes in because it is meeting the expansion of the school and providing us with the additional infrastructure that we need.”
Mr Corley says enrolment is up year-on-year and there is a strategic plan in place to enable the school grow even further over the next six years, by having 72 students in each year group.
A meeting is set for April 7 with the focus to tender for a design team.
“I’m not running to get colour charts just yet!” laughed Mr Corley. “Obviously, we would all like to see this happening as soon as possible but it takes time and we will have to be patient.”
Meanwhile, the respective chairs of the Board of Governors and the Board of Management, Bishop Ferran Glenfield and Dean Nigel Crossey, issued a joint statement thanking the Department for the allocation.
Thanks
“These new spaces will not only enhance the quality of education we provide but will also create a more vibrant and supportive atmosphere for our entire school community. As our school continues to grow, we are committed to providing modern, well-equipped facilities that meet the needs of our students and staff,” they said.
“We believe that this investment will play a crucial role nurturing the talents and aspirations of each student as well as fostering a sense of belonging and well-being within the school... Together, we will continue to build a school that serves our students, our community and future generations.”