The staffing of a primary school for a particular school year is determined by reference to the enrolment in the school on 30th September of the previous school year and by reference to a staffing schedule. This staffing schedule is outlined in Primary Circular 23/06 which issued to all primary schools recently.
Under the staffing arrangements for primary schools there is provision for the allocation of an additional post where a school experiences rapid growth in its enrolment. In such cases, an additional post, referred to as a developing school post, may be sanctioned provisionally where the projected enrolment at 30th September of the school year in question equals or exceeds a specified figure. If the specified figure is not achieved on 30th September, sanction for the post is withdrawn.
In the current school year the mainstream staffing of the school referred to by the Deputy, comprises of a Principal and 9 mainstream class teachers based on an enrolment of 243 pupils at 30th September, 2004.
The mainstream staffing of the school for the 2006/2007 school year will remain at a Principal and 9 mainstream class teachers based on an enrolment of 248 pupils at 30th September, 2005.
To ensure openness and transparency in the system an independent Appeal Board is now in place to decide on any appeals on mainstream staffing. The criteria under which an appeal can be made are set out in Department Primary Circular 0024/06 which is also available on my Department's website.