Tarbert National School is losing a class teacher despite being 1 pupil short of the DES retention criteria for the school year 2022/2023. As the enrolment figure on September 30th last did not reach the required retention figure of 138 pupils the school is losing a class teacher.

As we are all aware, invasion of Ukraine by Russia has caused Europe's fastest-growing refugee crisis since World War II, with more than seven million Ukrainians fleeing the country and a third of the population displaced. Since February 2022, Tarbert National School has gladly welcomed some of the children displaced by this war. These children and all of our children deserve a safe, inclusive teaching environment. Norma Foley and her Department have denied an appeal to maintain staffing levels despite the changes the school has experienced in the last 4 months. This effectively leaves the school with a closed classroom meaning that staff must teach large numbers in small classrooms not designed for diverse teaching methodologies.  

We, Tarbert National School Parents Association, ask that you show your support in helping us to lobby Norma Foley and the Department of Education to maintain current mainstream staffing numbers in the face significant changes in the school environment.