Westport’s Rice College to open to girls from September 2025

HISTORY will be made in Westport in September 2025 when Rice College enrols girls for the first time in the school’s history.

The Department of Education has formally approved the all-boys school’s application for co-educational status following a long-running effort by the school.

Students in the Westport area previously had no access to mixed education.

The school had earlier expressed disappointment when its application to obtain co-educational status in September 2024 was refused by the Department.

Paula Ryder, Chairperson of Coed4Westport, welcomed the latest announcement.

“It means a massive lot to a lot of families out there,” Ms Ryder told The Mayo News yesterday (Monday).

“I’ve been speaking to people over the weekend in our group and everybody is just so happy that is going to be there for an option as a more natural environment for our kids to go to school in. As a mother of two boys, obviously, I’m very happy about it.”

Rice College has undertaken extensive upgrades to facilitate an extra influx of students as a mixed school.

The school currently caters for over 525 boys. An extension providing nine extra classrooms and new toilet blocks was recently completed.

The school also developed new Leaving Cert subjects, added special MD/ASD class facilities and secured funding for upgrade to its art and technology rooms.

Minister for Education Norma Foley said last November that the transition to mixed education would need to be ‘carefully managed’ to avoid a shortage of post-primary school places for boys in Westport.

The town is currently served by Rice College and the nearby all-girls Sacred Heart School.

‘Milestone’

MICHAEL Rabbette, Principal of Rice College, said the approval for co-education represented ‘a significant milestone for our institution’.

He also extended thanks to all those who had supported the school’s drive for co-educational status, including local campaign group Coed4Westport and TD Michael Ring ‘for his outstanding work and support during the submission process’.

“The announcement of Rice College’s change to co-educational status has been met with enthusiasm and delight by the board of management, as well as all staff members within our school community. This decision aligns with our commitment to providing a positive learning environment that fosters academic excellence, fairness and inclusivity,” Mr Rabbette stated.

“The Department of Education has highlighted the need for additional resources for the school, and we eagerly anticipate the opportunity to expand our campus in a manner that reflects our school ethos. We are committed to building on our educational environment and ensuring that all students, regardless of gender, receive a high-quality education that prepares them for future success.

“Everyone in Rice College is excited to embark on this new chapter in our history. We look forward to welcoming girls into our school community and continuing to cultivate a positive learning environment for all students who choose Rice College,” Mr Rabbette added.

Rice College first opened in 1865. It moved to a new campus in 1962 before moving to its current facility in 1987.