The enrolment at the school in question on 30 September 2003 was 492 pupils. The enrolment on 30 September 2002 was 498, which warrants a staffing of an administrative principal and 17 mainstream teachers for the 2003-04 school year.
The school also has access to two full-time learning support teachers – one post is shared with another school – three permanent special class teachers for children with autistic spectrum disorder, ASD, one temporary special class teacher for children with ASD, two special class teachers for children with mild general learning disabilities, MGLD, two resource teachers, one support project teacher, two temporary language support teachers and five Giving Children an Even Break posts.
Under Giving Children An Even Break, schools categorised as urban with the highest concentrations of at-risk pupils, including the school referred to by the Deputy, are supported, where necessary, through staff allocations to implement a pupil-teacher ratio of 20:1 in junior classes – infants through second class – and a pupil teacher ratio of 27:1 in senior classes – third through sixth class. In line with normal staffing arrangements for national schools, teacher post allocations for the purpose of Giving Children An Even Break in respect of the 2003-04 school year are determined by reference to enrolments in junior and senior classes at 30 September 2002.