Mayo Secondary Schools plan to amalgamate
Claremorris Secondary schools’ Mount St Michael and St. Colman’s College seem set for amalgamation. In 2023 an extensive consultation on the future of Catholic Secondary education in Claremorris took place. The results, published in 2024, showed that people were in favour of coeducation in a single school setting.
The Catholic Education Irish Schools Trust (CEIST) issued a joint statement from patrons which read: “During 2023 an extensive consultation on the future of Catholic Secondary education in Claremorris, led by CEIST, Patron of Mount St. Michael Secondary School, and Archbishop Francis Duffy, Archdiocese of Tuam, Patron of St. Colman’s College, took place. The results, published in 2024, signalled an overwhelming desire for coeducation in a single school setting.
“The Patrons then engaged with the Department of Education & Youth with a view to amalgamating Mount St. Michael Secondary School and St. Colman’s College to form a new amalgamated Catholic Co-educational school with enhanced education facilities available for all students in Claremorris town. This would also ensure the availability into the future of a strong and vibrant Catholic Post Primary option in Claremorris town for parents who wish to avail of it. Unfortunately, the Department of Education and Youth was not in a position at that time to commit to the capital funding needed to support the amalgamation.
“In 2025 both schools made applications to the Department of Education & Youth to change their status from single-sex to coeducational. This was never seen as the optimal outcome. It was clear that significant capital investment would be required in both school buildings in order to provide the teaching and learning facilities necessary to support students and staff effectively into the future.
“As Patrons, we believe that a single capital investment in one shared school campus represents a more sustainable and beneficial solution, both economically and socially. Therefore, we continue to engage constructively with Department officials in an effort to secure the best possible outcome for the young people of Claremorris and for both school communities. We hope that a decision on this will be made in a timely manner."
In response, the board of managements of Mount St. Michael Secondary School and St. Colman’s College issued the following joint statement: “The Boards affirm their support for continued constructive engagement with the Department of Education and Youth in seeking the best possible long-term educational outcome for the young people of the Claremorris school planning area and the wider school community.
“The Boards also acknowledge the clear desire expressed through the consultation process for coeducation in a single school setting. In light of the Patrons’ stated intention to continue progressing towards an amalgamated Catholic coeducational school for Claremorris, the Boards recognise that the preferred way forward now is to amalgamate both schools into a single shared school campus.
“Once timelines are available, both Boards intend to begin appropriate preparations to support this transition and to ensure that the move to this model is managed as smoothly and carefully as possible.
“At this time, the Boards’ immediate priority remains the continued provision of high-quality teaching, learning, care and support for all students. We are conscious that discussions about the future of school provision naturally raise questions for students, parents, staff and the wider community. The Boards are committed to communicating carefully, responsibly and in a timely manner as further information becomes available.
“The Boards also wish to acknowledge the professionalism and dedication of staff, and the continued support of parents and guardians, as both school communities continue their important work with students.”