"We have an open door policy here and our philosophy is always to help students achieve success at their own level, " said principal Ann Breen. "Our programmes are pupil-centred and we have students of all levels in the school. We have an incredibly low drop-out level and the Leaving Cert Applied and the Junior Cert Schools Programme have been a key part of this."

"The policies we abide by should be something that is available in all schools, " said assistant principal Noel Buckley. "Selective creaming of a particular cohort of students is entirely wrong." Instead, he said, schools like the Presentation are often alone in offering support to special needs students in one community.

The Presentation has worked with home school liaison officers and offered alternative programmes to keep students in school, but now believes it is being punished for its success. The Department of Education has told the school that its home liaison hours will have to be cut next year. Even worse is the news that its capitation grant is to be frozen for the next four years.

"It really is so disappointing after all the effort we have put in to giving our students the best possible services, " said Breen. "We have suppport classes, a homework club, student counselling services and lunchtime activities. The teachers have put in a lot of spare time to offer support and this news now means that we will have to struggle for alternative funding. It is very disappointing."