St. Joseph de Cluny private girls’ school to welcome boys

A popular fee-paying secondary school in south County Dublin, St Joseph of Cluny, has announced that it will begin enrolling children in September next year.

Subject to Department for Education approval, it will be the first time in the school’s 70-year history that the school’s single-sex rule will be broken.

The decision was made after careful consultation with all interested parties, including local primary schools, parents, the school board, the sister of the order of Cluny, the Le Chéile Schools Fund and the Department.

The introduction of children to the school’s student population will be gradual and will be added to the second level options for children in the area.

Places at the school will undoubtedly be in high demand, as the institution is ranked for academic success. It also has a strong reputation in art, music and sport.

Follow in the footsteps of the Church of Ireland School in Rathdown, just down the road from Cluny, a girls’ boarding and day school which became co-educational in 2023.

‘Cluny Killiney’ was established in 1954 and is one of four girls’ schools in the mile-wide catchment area on the south side. It is famous for educating about the principle of caring for the individual.

Commenting on the drastic change at the school, headteacher Ben Healy insists the fundamentals will not change. Only the sign outside will change. We are responding to the needs of society in terms of inclusion and diversity, as well as increasing the number of places available, which has been a problem in the area in recent years.’

Principal Healy said parents and secondary schools in the area had contacted the school asking them to consider introducing the children.

‘This is a significant change for the school, but nothing will change in terms of our class sizes and our desire to deliver the highest academic standards; This decision will allow us to expand our network to include siblings of both and all genders whose needs will be met with additional teachers joining our team. ‘ he said.

Sister Maeve Guinan, The provincial head of the Order of Cluny in Ireland and Great Britain stated that this year will be special. “This reflects our changing world and changing local and social demands, and we are delighted to be able to reflect and react to them.” she said.

An open day will be held on September 24^th from 5 to 8 p.m.