Accommodation information and FAQs
Accommodation information
Blackrock ETSS is currently located in temporary accommodation in The Sandymount Buildings, Simmonscourt Road, Dublin 4 (on the grounds of the RDS). Because the school's temporary accommodation is located outside of the school's catchment area, the Department has agreed to fund a school bus that will collect and drop off students at various stops in Dun Laoghaire, Booterstown and Blackrock.
Blackrock ETSS's permanent home will be on the site of Abilene House, Newtownpark Avenue, Blackrock. Planning permission was submitted by the Department in June 2021 for the construction of a 1,000 pupil school on the site and the planning documents can be viewed by clicking on the following link on the online planning section of the Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council (DLRCOCO) website: https://planning.agileapplications.ie/dunlaoghaire/application-details/89858
Planning permission was granted by DLRCOCO in June 2022. Appeals by residents close to the school were subsequently submitted to An Bord Pleanála (ABP). A decision was due to made by ABP in November 2022. However, as of September 2023, no decision has been made. ABP has not indicated when a decision will be made. More information is available on the following ABP web page: https://www.pleanala.ie/en-ie/case/313948
The Department of Education has confirmed that the school will remain at its temporary accommodation on the grounds of the RDS for the school year 2023/24. The Department has confirmed that the school will move from the RDS accommodation in the summer of 2024. The Department has confirmed that Blackrock ETSS will be accommodated in Cherrywood ETNS, Cherrywood Dublin 18 for the school year, 2024/25. The Department of Education funded buses will remain in place for the school year, 2024/25.
If you require any more information about the school's location or bus service, please do not hesitate to contact our office at office@blackrocketss.ie
FAQs - frequently asked questions about the temporary accommodation for 2024/25
1. Where is the school going to be located in 2024/25?
The school will be located in Cherrywood ETNS which is a brand new school near Loughlinstown.
2. How will students get to Cherrywood?
The Department will continue to fund the school bus. The Luas and Dublin bus stops near the school too.
3. How will subjects like Science and Woodwork be taught in primary classrooms?
The ordinary classrooms are really spacious and more than adequate for our needs. In relation to specialist classrooms, the Department is committed to providing specialist rooms for Science, Woodwork, etc.
4. Where will you do the sports in the new school?
There is an excellent PE hall in the school that we will use. There are grass pitches and an all weather pitches nearby that we will use too (all a few minutes walking distance from the school). There’s a park a five minute walk away with basketball courts and tennis courts that we’d hope to use too. The same sports will be played in the new school building (Gaelic, soccer, basketball, etc).
5. When will the new permanent school be ready on Newtownpark Avenue in Blackrock?
The plans are at the final stages with An Bord Pleanála. We are hopeful that the plans will be approved. Once approved, the project goes to tender. That will probably take about a year. So realistically, the new building is a few years away yet.
6. How long will you be in Cherrywood?
The Department has confirmed that we’ll be there for the 24/25 school year. It’s almost certain we’d be there for the following year too. The Department usually confirms the plan for the following year in the autumn time. (The Department only confirms temporary accommodation plans a year at a time.)
7. Will there be a canteen in Cherrywood ETNS?
No there is no canteen facility in Cherrywood ETNS. Blackrock ETSS students will continue to bring a packed lunch.
8.When will parents be able to visit the school?
Officially we will not have access to the school until next summer. Once the patron body, Educate Together, confirms the access date, we will let parents know. Then we can organise school visits for parents.
9. How many primary classes are in Cherrywood ETNS at present?
Cherrywood ETNS is up to second class now so there are four classes in the school. From September 2025, there will be five classes in the school. There are 24 classrooms in total in the new school.
10. When will you have more information about the move?
All of the information at our disposal has been provided to parents and the other stakeholders in our school community. We will continue to update parents throughout the school year when the Department provides more information. If parents have any other questions, they can contact the school office by phone or email (01 9120440;office@blackrocketss.ie).