Change at Newtown

Newtown School to stop charging fees for standard tuition

Newtown School in Waterford, one of Ireland’s oldest Quaker schools, has become the latest minority faith school in the country to enter the Free Education scheme.  The school says the decision was made because of a combination of financial pressure and a desire to become ‘more accessible’, in line with its ethos.  School principal Keith Lemon said that parents were finding it more difficult to afford fees.

He admitted the decision to enter the scheme would restrict its financial independence but the school would now have access to Department of Education building grants and other funding streams.

There will be no fees payable for standard tuition from 9am-4pm from next September. The school will continue to offer a paid programme of extra-curricular activities as well as boarding, albeit on reduced rates.

Nigel Pim, a local Quaker and parent at the school, said: ‘We’re looking forward to welcoming more students to Newtown School. Our school shares a way of life rather than a set of beliefs.’

He explained: ‘We believe that “there is that of God in everyone”. We recognise no barriers of colour, class or gender. Honesty, integrity, simplicity, equality and peace are central to the way we conduct our lives.’

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