Bridgetown Vocational College
Bridgetown College in Bridgetown, County Wexford, Ireland, is managed by the Wexford and Waterford Education and Training Board.
| Bridgetown College | |
|---|---|
 | |
 Entrance courtyard at Bridgetown College | |
| Location | |
Republic of Ireland | |
| Coordinates | 52.2288°N 6.5499°W |
| Information | |
| Principal | Adrian Power |
| Enrollment | 575[1] (2019) |
| Newspaper | The Bridge |
| Website | www |
History
After the enactment of the Vocational Education Act in 1930, an experimental vocational school was established in rented accommodation in Bridgetown village.[2] Enrolment slowly increased and it was not until the 1960s that the need for a proper post-primary school in the area was accepted, and in October 1965, 44 students and five teachers moved from the rented accommodation into a new purpose-built school.[2]
The numbers continued to increase and by 1976, when students sat for the Leaving Cert, for the first time, enrolment stood at 329. To cope with the increasing numbers, a new building was officially opened by the Minister for Education on 12 October 1984. By 2019, the school had now houses a community of 575 students.[1]
In December 2003, Bridgetown College celebrated its 50th anniversary. A booklet was published to commemorate the golden jubilee event.
A building extension started in 2006 and was completed in Summer 2007. The extension has a floor area of 18002 metres and provides additional facilities : eight general classrooms, a new art room, a science laboratory, a tiered demonstration room, a technology room, a senior engineering room, a general purpose and dining area, a new staff room, a new administration area and extra toilet and cloakroom facilities. The extension to the gymnasium was completed on 2 March 2007 with the new building extension completed the following September.
Ethos and courses
Non-denominational, co-educational and non-selective in its intake, the school ethos is broadly Christian.
The school offers the Junior Certificate, Leaving Certificate, Post Leaving Certificate and Evening Courses.
A night-class programme offers a small number with adult classes.
References
- "Department of Education and Skills - Subject Inspection Report - Bridgetown College" (PDF). education.ie. Department of Education. 15 February 2019. Retrieved 13 January 2020.
- "About Us - Our History". bridgetowncollege.ie. Retrieved 13 January 2020.