Our Core Values

Coláiste Pobail Fóla is a State, Coeducational and Multi Denominational school. Our ethos is underpinned by the core values of Excellence in Education, Care, Respect, Equality and Community.

What is ethos?

Put simply, ethos is how we live, work and relate to each other in our school community. While it encompasses the curriculum and how it is taught, ethos is broader than this. It also relates to shared core values, to the hidden curriculum, to decision making processes and to the relationships that underpin the daily life of school.

Our Core Values:

Excellence includes excellence in education, training, and support. It is underpinned by the core values of care, respect, community, and equality. Excellence encompasses outcomes, experiences, and expectations of people involved.

Care is about the welfare, wellbeing, and safety of all who are involved in education and training. It is exemplified in meaningful relationships, connectedness, and empathy, alongside support and solidarity.
Equality is about treating everyone equally and recognising and celebrating the diversity of those involved in education, training, and youth work. It is exemplified in targeting resources on those who have need and prioritising a culture of inclusion.
Community encompasses learners, their families, staff, and the local communities in which our services are based. It is about having shared vision, values and purpose, a sense of belonging, and a voice that is listened to. It is exemplified in productive collaboration, positive contributions, and effective communication amongst all stakeholders.
Respect is about upholding the dignity, rights, and recognition of the identity and background of all those involved in education, training, and youth work. It is exemplified in relationships between all stakeholders, and decision-making that impacts positively on the rights, feelings, and aspirations of the diversity of people.

Our School Ethos

Coláiste Pobail Fóla is an ETB school. We are part of the Dublin and Dun Laoghaire Education and Training Board.

What is ETB School Ethos?

ETB schools are state, co-educational, multidenominational schools underpinned by five core values: Excellence in Education, Care, Equality, Community and Respect. ETB schools are under the patronage of the local Education and Training Boards (ETBs) who are the largest provider of multidenominational education in Ireland. ETB schools give equal opportunities to all students in the communities they serve and strive to provide high quality education through respectful, positive, supportive and responsive learning environments.

Our School Ethos

Who owns these schools and what difference does it make?

ETBs are the patrons of ETB Schools. ETBs are statutory authorities with responsibility for Community National Schools, Community Colleges, and a wide range of adult and further education and training centres and services. We have developed an excellent reputation for our provision of inclusive, innovative, high quality education that meets the needs of the entire community.

ETB schools benefit greatly from a broad range of supports and services from the local ETB. ETBs provide governance, educational, administrative, financial, Human Resources and Information Technology (IT) supports to schools. This has a direct impact on the students and families attending these schools, as it allows school leadership to focus on their primary task of leading teaching and learning. This ensures the highest standard of excellence in our schools. ETBs can also provide a valuable service to the parents of students attending ETB schools through their adult education programmes.

What will my child experience in an ETB school?

ETB schools strive to provide all students with equal opportunities to engage with the curriculum and school life. In all aspects of school life, all members of our school communities are treated equitably regardless of their race, gender, religion/belief, age, family status, civil status, membership of the Traveller community, sexual orientation, ability or socio-economic status. Our schools provide a safe physical and social environment that reinforces a sense of belonging to the school community and wider society. They strive to enable every student to realise their full potential regardless of any aspect of their identity or background. Our schools promote a fully inclusive education that recognises the plurality of identities, beliefs and values held by students, parents and staff.