The staffing of a primary school for a particular year is determined by reference to the number of pupils enrolled in the school on the 30 September of the previous year. The actual number of mainstream posts sanctioned is determined by reference to a staffing schedule. The staffing schedule is determined for a particular year following discussions with the managerial authorities and the INTO.
The current staffing of St. Helen's junior national school is a principal and ten mainstream class teachers based on an enrolment of 274 as at 30 September 1998. The school also has the services of a remedial teacher.
The enrolment as at 30 September, 1999, on which the staffing for the 2000-01 school year is based, was 264. Under the staffing schedule, this enrolment entitles the school to nine mainstream class teachers. The enrolment requirement for the retention of the 10th teacher is 270. Unfortunately, despite the circumstances outlined by the Deputy, the enrolment does not meet the requirement for a 10th teacher.
However, the school has the option of examining its position in relation to developing status. The awarding of a developing school post is conditional on a school satisfying specific criteria i.e. a school which has less than 298 pupils is required to increase its enrolment by 25 pupils in one school year relative to the previous school year, and to exceed the point at which the next assistant's post is due by a minimum of five pupils. The school may contact the officials of my Department in this regard should the criteria apply.
In relation to the special needs of the school, these details should be forwarded by the board of management to officials in the special education section of my Department in Athlone.