Coláiste Bríde, Clondalkin, Dublin, Ireland

Presentation to

A Case Study In Using Neighbourhood Census Of Population Data As A Tool

For School PlanningMarie-Thérèse Kilmartin, Principal

Sorcha Lowry, Past-Pupil

ProfileStudents Over 900 Students 39 Nationalities 93 International Students 122 Students with Special Education Needs

Staff 70+ Teaching Staff 6 Special Needs Assistants Mixed Age Profile

Profile Girls only Catholic Secondary School Founded in 1955 by the Presentation Sisters New building officially opened May 2008 State-of-the-Art, modern facilities

The 5 Year Plan – Inspiration & Influences Autumn 2009 – brand new school Self-Evaluation Theme – DES Inspectorate Evaluate what has been achieved What needs to be done next – vision Heard about VEC using Census data re planning

for a new school in Adamstown Discovered the range of Census data available at

neighbourhood level 5 Year strategic plan for the school – “Our School

- Mapping our Future”

3 Strand Approach 1. Census neighbourhood data2. School designed questionnaire to survey

school community Pupils Parents School Staff3. Workshop in November 2009 with representatives of the whole school community

Sorcha assembled full report on strands 1 & 2 Analysis of Census data for catchment area

of school Analysis of questionnaires filled out by Pupils Parents and School staff Analysis of school community meeting by

school administration All 3 strands were brought together in the

full report “Our School - Mapping our Future”

Producing “Our School - Mapping our Future”

Methodology

Methodology – Retrieving Census Data

Defining Our Catchment Area

Forecasting Enrolment Numbers

The age data on female’s under 18 in 2006, suggest that Coláiste Bride should experience

an increase in demand for places in 2014 and 2015and a considerable decrease in 2012

Nationalities & Ethnic Groups

More culturally diverse and less racially and ethnically homogenous than the national rate.

Higher proportion of cohabiting couples with children, lone mothers with children

and lone fathers with children than the State

Profile of Family Unit

PC Ownership & Internet Connectivity

Higher rate of PC ownership, internet access and broadband connectivity than the State average but lower than that of South Dublin

Educational Profile Females’ Highest Level of Education

Females of the catchment area rank well below the State and South Dublin in terms of 3rd level education

Socio-Economic Group of Reference Person

For both males and females, higher proportion of non-manual, skilled manual and semi-skilled workers and lower proportion of professional workers than the State by a half

Socio- Economic Profile Females’ Occupations

Lower percentage of female professional workers compared to the State, by almost a half

Uses of the Data - Enrolment

Predict enrolment trendsBased on Census 2006; significant dip predicted for 2011However school intake is currently increasing each year Shows school is desirable Good for staff and student morale

Uses of the Data - Polish students Polish predominant EU grouping in the

catchment area Applied to Dept of Education for

teaching hours in Polish Able to prepare school students for

Leaving Cert in Polish First school in the country to do this

Uses of the Data - Third levelCensus analysis shows lower levels of Third Level Education in the catchment area Many of our pupils are first generation attendees at Third LevelSchool decided to build models of women achieving Held inaugural careers night in November 201050 past pupils who have gone on to further education/training attended Spoke with senior pupils and their parents Raises awareness among staff also

Census analysis shows higher proportion of Lone Parents

School has used this information to offer a large number of Rainbow groups – Rainbows is a programme which support students in loss, separation and bereavement

Parents and staff are trained to run these programmes

Uses of the Data - Lone Parents

School and report on RTE news last October for World Statistics Day

Phone calls from staff in Dept of Education asking … is the Census data free?

… is it easily accessible? Whole school evaluation by DES in January

2011 “Our School – Mapping our Future” sets out

the school’s priorities for development” “The process review was excellent in that

its evidential based included baseline statistical data, including population data and surveys of the partners….”

Department of Education Feedback

Other Uses of “Our School - Mapping our Future” in our school ICT Planning in the school Development of the Website as a

communication tool with parents and students

Awareness of cultural diversity permeates all school planning

Strong community links Used in Staff Planning

Conclusions Was this a useful exercise? YES! Most

definitely Can other schools replicate this? Yes! BUT – perhaps a “How to guide” on the

website for school planners? Project for Transition Year; link to

Project Maths (Statistics)? Presentation by CSO to school principal

networks at primary and post-primary level and to ASTI, TUI & INTO conferences

Thank you for your attention.

Any Questions?