Announcement: Transition to Coeducation
Announcement: Transition to Coeducation
The Board of Management of The Abbey School is delighted to announce an exciting and historic new chapter in the life of the school—one that represents particularly positive news for the local community and the young people it serves. From September 2027, The Abbey School will become a coeducational school, fully approved by the Department of Education and Youth, welcoming both boys and girls to enroll for the first time. This opens up a new and exciting opportunity for families across Tipperary Town and the surrounding area.
As an Edmund Rice School, The Abbey School has always been guided by an ethos rooted in inclusion, care, social justice and a deep commitment to supporting those who are marginalised. Central to this ethos is the belief that every young person is entitled to dignity, opportunity and a supportive learning environment. This important decision reflects those core values and responds positively to the evolving needs of our community. Our mission has always been to provide a caring, values‑driven education where every student is known, valued and encouraged to reach their full potential.
This transition has been shaped by extensive consultation and detailed planning. Surveys conducted with our current students, parents, prospective parents and staff demonstrate overwhelming support for the move to coeducation. There is a strong sense of optimism, progress and shared purpose across the school community, with this development being widely viewed as a positive step forward for future generations of young people in the locality.
For many decades, The Abbey School has worked in close partnership with twenty‑four feeder primary schools, forging strong and enduring relationships to ensure that children in our locality have access to an excellent post-primary education. We are deeply appreciative of the commitment and support of these schools, whose collaboration has been central to student success. We are particularly pleased to welcome the commitment of many local primary schools to facilitate open days for boys and girls in May, offering families an opportunity to experience school life at The Abbey School. Further engagement opportunities will also be available in September, with all families warmly welcomed.
The Abbey School has a long‑established reputation for excellent academic standards, sustained over generations, alongside a strong and proud sporting tradition that promotes teamwork, resilience and personal growth. This culture of achievement and ambition is reflected in successes such as winning the prestigious Young Scientist competition, highlighting the school’s commitment to innovation, enquiry and academic excellence.
While The Abbey School has not previously adopted a coeducational admission policy, it has a long‑standing tradition of educating girls at senior cycle. For many years, a significant cohort of students from neighbouring St. Anne’s School have attended The Abbey School to study subjects including Chemistry, Physics, Biology, Art, Business Studies, Geography and Leaving Certificate Physical Education. These long‑established partnerships have greatly enriched school life and provide a strong foundation for the move to full coeducation.
The Abbey School has benefitted from consistent and invaluable support from the Department of Education. This includes the School Meals Programme and Breakfast Club, ensuring that students are ready to engage fully in their learning each day.
Recent Department of Education investment has enabled the development of a new PE hall and gym area, an AstroTurf pitch delivered through a valued community partnership with Arravale Rovers GAA, and the establishment of a dedicated special class area. In addition, this summer alone the school will benefit from a capital investment of €1.4 million to further upgrade facilities and infrastructure across the campus.
Located on an extensive 15‑acre campus on Station Road, The Abbey School is uniquely positioned to embrace this transition. The school offers excellent facilities and a welcoming, inclusive environment in which students can learn, grow and thrive.
As preparations continue, the school will engage closely with parents, staff, feeder schools and the wider community, with further information on admissions and transition arrangements to be shared in due course. The Abbey School looks forward with confidence and optimism to this exciting new era—one that represents real progress and an enhanced range of opportunities for the young people of our community.