Record numbers go on to third level
November 28, 2012
Private fee-paying schools, Gaelscoileanna and State schools in more prosperous areas are doing especially well, but the picture elsewhere is not as rosy
One of the striking features of the list is the strong performance of schools in Leitrim and Sligo, where virtually all schools have a 100 per cent progression rate to third-level.
An increasing number of Leaving Certificate students are proceeding to third- level education, according to the 2012 School League Tables. A decade ago, when The Irish Times first published these lists, the average progression rate was about 70 per cent; today most schools send about 80 per cent of their students on to third-level institutions.
The picture is very mixed, however. Three types of school tend to perform well in the league tables. These are private feepaying schools, Gaelscoileanna and State schools in more prosperous areas. The picture is much bleaker when you look at schools in disadvantaged areas, where progression rates of less than 60 per cent are not uncommon.
The picture is striking in Dublin. Belvedere College, the Jesuit secondary school near Parnell Square, has a progression rate of 100 per cent, but three other schools in the area, including O’Connell’s Christian Brothers school, have transfer rates of less than 60 per cent. Some schools in west Dublin have progression rates of as low as 30 per cent.
In Dublin, private fee-paying schools top the league tables in most postal districts. Many have a progression rate of 100 per cent, including Loreto Abbey in Dalkey; St Andrew’s College in Booterstown; Catholic University School on Leeson Street; Gonzaga College, in Ranelagh; the Teresian School, in Donnybrook; and Blackrock College.
That said, many non fee-paying schools in Dublin perform exceptionally well. These include Muckross Park College, in Donnybrook; St Benildus College, in Stillorgan; and Holy Faith Secondary School, in Clontarf.
Broadly, schools in south Dublin tend to perform better than their counterparts in north Dublin.
Galelscoileanna also feature strongly in the lists. Coláiste Íosagáin and Coláiste Eoin, which share a campus in Stillorgan, in south Co Dublin, both achieve a 100 per cent progression rate.
Outside Dublin, two Gaelscoileanna in Galway city both achieve 100 per cent transfer rates. Gaelscoileanna in Cork, Mayo and Carlow are among several others that also do well.
One of the striking features of the list is the strong performance of schools in Leitrim and Sligo, where virtually all schools have a 100 per cent progression rate. Sligo Institute of Technology appears to be doing well in attracting local students.
In Cork there is a mixed picture. Christian Brothers College on Sidney Hill, Scoil Mhuire Secondary School on Sidney Place and Presentation Brothers College in Mardyke are among the private schools that do well. Overall, 14 schools in the county have a 100 per cent progression rate. These include several non fee-paying schools, including Sacred Heart Secondary School in Clonakilty, St Francis College in Rochestown and Mount Mercy College.
The performance of schools in Co Mayo is also eye-catching. No fewer than 16 schools in the county register a progression rate of 100 per cent. In all, 24 or 26 schools in the county have a progression rate of more than 80 cent. This is all the more remarkable when one considers that Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology is the only major third-level college in the county.
Co Roscommon also does well. Six of the eight schools in the county have progression rates of 100 per cent, despite the absence of a local third-level college.
Overall, this year’s league tables show a rising tide. More and more students are progressing to third level.
And record numbers of schools are showing a progression rate of 100 per cent.
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