West Cork Sudbury School

As an independent school perhaps the biggest challenge we face is funding - as we are curriculum-free, we receive no financial support from the government. According to the Central Statistics Office Ireland's expenditure on primary education in 2018 was €6,788 per student per year. At secondary level it’s €8,797 per student per year. Private schools in Ireland which do follow the curriculum received state funding in addition to charging fees between €3,400 and €7,500, of more than one hundred million euros in 2020, with the vast majority of that going towards teacher and SNA salaries. WCSS receives absolutely no state funding and offers a staff-student ratio of 1 staff to 6-7 students - much higher than in any other public or private school. _____________________________________________ West Cork Sudbury School is a not-for-profit company, registered Irish Charity (CRA 20206027). The Educational Provision at West Cork Sudbury School is assessed by Tusla Alternative Education Assessment and Registration Service and children attending are eligible for registration, as in receipt of an education, under Section 14 the Education (Welfare) Act, 2000.

As an innovative independent school the biggest challenge we face is funding - schools that don’t teach the curriculum receive no support from the government. WCSS aims to be affordable and accessible to all - a big challenge in our current economic situation but one to which we are dedicated. The two most pressing funding needs are subsidised student placements for family's in need and fairer wages for our staff. Donations help to subsidise placements for families with lower incomes, making our school accessible to all. Donations help to raise staff members' salaries from minimum wage to a living wage. All our staff are currently working for minimum wage or volunteering. Examples of once off needs: A school bus! A school bus would allow groups of students to connect more with the community and open up a world of place based learning for them - exploring and taking responsibility in the community! School Trips (place-based learning): €500-800 would pay for one school trip. Only a bus for a day can be €450! Gardening equipment: Students have requested a Polytunnel which costs between €1,000 - €3,500, not including installation. Arts supplies: Paints, canvas, clay, charcoal... Any fine and visual arts supplies - they go quickly! Playground equipment: Climbing wall(s), frames, resurfacing of the court. Science lab equipment: €1,000+ PC's for students to learn programming languages. A sought-after field for employment, creativity, engenuinity and opportunity! €2,000 each. And we've even more items on our Wish List!

WCSS is an Independent School. The Educational Provision at West Cork Sudbury School is assessed by Tusla Alternative Education Assessment and Registration Service and children attending are eligible for registration, as in receipt of an education, under Section 14 the Education (Welfare) Act, 2000.

WCSS has teamed up with Future Forests Garden Centre to give everyone the opportunity to join with us in sustainably reforesting networks of diverse woodlands in West Cork, Ireland. For as little as €10, you can take part in this inspiring project - plant a native tree, help the environment and support self-directed, democratic learning at the West Cork Sudbury School (WCSS). Future Forests are donating all the trees, and planting is carried out by students, staff and volunteers - so all the donations go directly to West Cork Sudbury School. Find out all about how you can Plant a Tree - Grow a School here.

Our website has a plethora of resources to inform yourself about self-directed, democratic education: Blog - https://www.westcorksudburyschool.ie/blog Library - https://www.westcorksudburyschool.ie/research FAQs - https://www.westcorksudburyschool.ie/faq

Of course! You can contact us here.