Two Kilkenny schools receive top marks for students advancing to third-level education

Every student who sat the Leaving Certificate this year in Presentation Secondary School (124) and St Kieran’s College (114) proceeded on to third-level education.

That’s according to the recent Feeder Schools Report, published by the Irish Independent.

Concerned Kilkenny residents to hold meeting on flooding issue

Of the fourteen secondary schools across County Kilkenny listed, seven saw an increase in the percentage of their students progressing on to third-level education.

Four schools saw a decrease in the same category, one school was unchanged and two schools appeared on the list for the first time this year.

These figures do not include the many school-leavers who went into further education, such as PLC courses, or those now pursuing an apprenticeship.

South East Technological University (SETU) was the favoured third-level college amongst Kilkenny school-leavers.

The second most preferred option for school-leavers was University College Cork (UCC) followed by University of Limerick (UL).

Presentation Secondary School in Kilkenny is also statistically the top feeder all-girls school in the entire country.

Delighted with the news, a spokesperson from the school said the entire school community is thrilled and that the school ‘places great emphasis on excellence in teaching and learning for students of all abilities’.

They continued: “The result is testament to our progressive and emerging methodologies employed everyday in the classroom and the diverse extra- curricular programme we offer to enable students to reach their full potential and beyond.

“While it is a privilege to be recognised in this capacity, our school ethos will always be to ensure optimal levels of wellbeing for all students in a safe, secure, learning environment. This ensures the holistic development of each pupil placed in our care.”

Other schools that have made big leaps in the number of their school-leavers going on to third level education this year include Castlecomer Community School (up 20%), Coláiste Mhuire (up 17%) and Scoil Aireagail, Ballyhale (up 12%).