About

Mission Statement

Ashton School promotes personal achievement through a broad and balanced education. “The Best” is demanded of and expected for each student. Ashton School operates on the philosophy  that students perform best in an environment in which they feel valued. All  students are treated as individuals with unique strengths. The philosophy of  the school demands high standards of work, personal behaviour and respect of  self and of others. The  comprehensive range of subjects provide the opportunity, within the resources  available, for all students to achieve their potential within their range of  abilities. The motivation for excellence is fostered and the breadth of  curriculum provides opportunities to excel in many subject areas. The  conviction that a happy, well-adjusted, student is the student best prepared  and motivated to respond to the challenges and demands, not only of an academic  curriculum, but also of life itself, is underpinned by an established Personal  & Health Education Programme. Care has been taken to develop procedures and  guidelines to deal with discipline and sensitive areas which may affect some  students.  A  comprehensive extra-curricular programme of sport and other activities is  provided within the school. These develop the self-esteem of the many students  involved and generally promote positive attitudes both at individual and group  level.  Ashton School strives to create a caring, Christian, environment within which all  students can develop and fulfil their unique and diverse talents

Ethos Statement

Ashton  Comprehensive School Cork is a Church of Ireland co-educational school under  the joint patronage of the Church of Ireland Bishop of Cork and the City of  Cork Vocational Education Committee. Ashton  School serves not only the Protestant community in Cork, but also in a rapidly  changing and pluralist society, is committed to the ecumenical developments of  our time and in an inclusive spirit of openness and multi-denominational  service endeavours to serve many in the entire local community. The  school seeks to provide a Christian environment in which students find  encouragement to develop spiritual and moral values, personal and social skills  and the highest standards of excellence of which they are capable in all  aspects of their school activities.  We  recognise the complementary roles of parents and teachers in educating the  young and, in partnership, we pursue the common aim of educating our students  according to Christian principles.As a  Comprehensive School, Ashton School is committed to catering for children of  all abilities and of multiple intelligences through the provision of a range of  subjects across a broad curriculum. Tuition  in Ashton School is free: teachers are employed by the Board of Management, and  their salaries are paid by the Department of Education and Skills. Parents are  expected to provide books and uniform.   Assistance with the provision of books and uniform is available in cases  of need. Ashton  Comprehensive School was founded in 1972 following the interim establishment of  the Cork Grammar and Rochelle School as a result of the amalgamation of two  noted and established Protestant schools: Cork Grammar School and Rochelle  School. Cork Grammar School itself incorporated the former High School. These  schools were previously operated under the aegis of the Incorporated Society  for Promoting Protestant Schools in Ireland. In 2011 the Board of Management  was enlarged to include parents and teachers, and the City of Cork V.E.C.  became a co-patron, with the Bishop, of the school.

This  Ethos Statement has been prepared by the joint patrons of the School in  pursuance of Section 15 2 (b) of the Education Act, 1998 and endorsed by  the Board of Management.

Board of Management

The  co-Patrons of the school are the Church of Ireland Bishop of Cork, Cloyne and  Ross, presently Rt. Rev. Paul Colton and the City of Cork V.E.C.   Bishop Colton is a past pupil of the school.             The  Board of Management has twelve members: six nominated by the Church of Ireland Bishop of Cork, the C.E.O. of  the City of Cork V.E.C., a nominee of the City of Cork V.E.C., two teachers’ nominees and two parents’ nominees.

School Information

Ashton School has a three form intake,  with approximately 90 students entering First Year each September.  These  students are divided into either three or four groups for teaching purposes  depending on the subjects being taught. Total  enrolment is about 520 with an approximately equal balance between boys and  girls.  The school employs 32 permanent teachers and a number of part time  teachers.  Teaching practice places are also provided for students from  University College Cork and the University   of Limerick.  Among  the teaching staff are a School Chaplain and specialist teachers for Career  Guidance and Learning Support Education. Tuition  in the school is free, teachers salaries being paid by the government.   Parents are expected to provide books and uniform.  Assistance with the  provision of books and uniform is available in cases of need.