The staffing of a primary school for a particular year is determined by reference to the number of pupils enrolled in the school on 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 this particular school is a principal and nine mainstream class teachers based on an enrolment of 248 as at 30 September, 1998. The school also has the services of two concessionary posts due to the disadvantaged status of the school, two remedial teachers, two special additional assistants and a home school liaison teacher.
The enrolment as at 30 September, 1999, on which the staffing for the 2000-01 school year is based, was 233. Under the staffing schedule, this enrolment entitles the school to eight mainstream class teachers.
The "developing school" criteria for the 2000-01 school year is outlined in Circular letter 11/2000 a copy of which was forwarded to the board of management of the school recently. To satisfy the criteria as outlined in the circular letter the enrolment of Our Lady of Lourdes school required on 30 September, 2000 for the appointment of the ninth mainstream class teacher would have to be at least 245 pupils
If the board of management of the school are confident that the overall enrolment of the school on 30 September, 2000 will be in excess of 245 pupils they should apply to the primary payments branch of my Department for the allocation of a teaching post under the "developing school" status.