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.