Shortage of city school places means heartbreak for some in Kilkenny

A Kilkenny mother has expressed her concerns at the number of city-based children unable to attain a secondary school place, leaving them with no choice but to travel to schools in other parts of the county.

Autumn each year sees school places being offered to local students, and as sixth class pupils and their parents open letters from prospective second-level schools, many are left jubilant, while others are left heartbroken.

The mother, whose son has attended Colaiste Abhainn Rí in Callan for the past number of years, recalled her own experience of receiving a rejection letter from a city school, describing the experience as 'horrible'.

"At the time I was so angry and emotional," she said.

"Around this time you get the letters from schools and all his friends got in."

Despite the disappointing outcome, the local mother admits it may have been a blessing in disguise, but fears the consequences for families in a more vulnerable position. 

"Families who are not getting into city schools can be quite vulnerable," she said.

"My son shared bus journeys back to Kilkenny with students in city schools and if a child was to compare themselves you would feel fairly terrible."

The local mother feels some people wonder if 'unwritten' school policies impact certain children, and believes the selection process requires more transparency. She does acknowledge certain factors such as family connections to a school should take precedence in such processes.

However, despite the initial disappointment, her son’s term in Colaiste Abhainn Rí has been a success story to date, according to the local woman, hailing the diversity the school has to offer.

"He loves Callan, I would never change the school, if I was to pick now I’d be picking Callan," she says.

"The diversity is amazing," she remarked, praising the 'lovely' atmosphere on display in the school and the opportunities it has given her son to meet people from various walks of life.

Schools in Kilkenny City have been contacted for comment and details of admission policies can be found on their websites.