Motion Passes Calling For New Secondary School In Newtown

The Department of Education is to be called on by Wicklow county councillors to build a new secondary school in Newtownmountkennedy,

The move comes after a motion passed at the latest meeting of councillors.

Land was zoned for community and education purposes as part of the Local Area Plan for Newtownmountkennedy, as far back as the 2002 edition, with the expectation it would be used to build a secondary school for the growing population in the wider area.

However, no movement has taken place, forcing local students to travel to and from Wicklow town, Kilcoole and Greystones in order to meet their secondary education needs.

At December’s monthly meeting, the elected members of Wicklow County Council were asked to support a motion from Cllr Stephen Stokes, seconded by Cllr Paul O’Brien, calling on the Department of Education to provide a secondary school for Newtown as a matter of urgency given the phenomenal population growth in the area.

Cllr Stokes said: “The way I see it, this is an issue that equally impacts both the Greystones Municipal District and the Wicklow Municipal District. On the Wicklow side, there is no secondary school in a town that arguably should have had a secondary school a decade ago. "This would also make it easier for families in Roundwood or surrounding areas, but I believe of course that this is also directly relevant to the Greystones Municipal District because so many of these pupils inevitably end up in secondary schools in Greystones and Kilcoole where there is already great pressure.“Such a secondary school would directly benefit some areas in the Greystones district, including Killadreenan and Newcastle. There are some students in Newtown who also go further afield to Wicklow town and Bray to find an option that works for them or in some cases is their only option."

Cllr. Paul O’Brien echoed these sentiments, emphasising the broader benefits a new school would bring: "This is not just about bricks and mortar, it’s about investing in the future of our children. A local secondary school would strengthen the community, and reduce the pressure on nearby schools in Kilcoole and Greystones. It would also cut down on the need for lengthy and costly commutes for families, while also reducing traffic and emissions. This is a vital project for the sustainability and growth of Newtownmountkennedy."