Kilmead Primary School Loses Teacher After Falling One Pupil Short Of Quota

Tuesday, 9 September 2025 12:06

By Martin Osborne

The change means all classes must now be split, with combined groups such as third and fourth taught together.

A primary school in Kilmead has lost a mainstream classroom teacher after its enrolment fell just one pupil short of the Department of Education’s staffing threshold.

Scoil Íde Naofa had 160 pupils at the end of September 2024 – one below the 161 required to keep six teachers.

As a result, Principal Robert White was forced to cut a teacher, pushing average class sizes from 26 to almost 30.

The change means all classes must now be split, with combined groups such as third and fourth taught together.

Mr White told Kildare Today that the situation makes it difficult for teachers to plan lessons or give pupils individual attention.

He said the class sizes are not sustainable.

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