DEIS Urban Band 1 have a more favourable staffing schedule than other schools. DEIS Urban Band 1 junior schools operate on a general average of 1 teacher for every 20 pupils. Schools with senior classes with DEIS Urban Band 1 status operate on a general average of 1 teacher for every 24 pupils. DEIS Urban Band 1 vertical schools, such as the school referred to by the Deputy, operate on a general average of 1 teacher for every 22 pupils.
The school referred to by the Deputy has a mainstream staffing of Principal and 2 classroom teachers and returned an enrolment of 61 for 30th September 2018. As a result, the school is operating on an average pupil teacher ratio of 1 classroom teacher to every 20.33 pupils, which is lower than the average allocation ratio of 22:1.
The general staffing allocation arrangements for 2019/20 are currently being finalised and will be available on my Department’s website next month. At that stage, schools will be able to establish their staffing for the coming school year.