What?

The Clondalkin Access Network (CAN) was established in January 1996 and operates within three DEIS post-primary schools, namely Collinstown Park Community College, Deansrath Community College and St. Kevin’s Community College. The initiative offers post-primary students a pathway to successfully complete school and overcome barriers to continue their education in college, further education or through an apprenticeship pathway. CAN also engages with parents through a fully funded community-based university outreach programme.

Why?

Education is empowering and CAN believes access should be open to all. CAN’s main purpose is to help its students to reimagine their future careers and achieve their educational potential. Through participating in CAN you get to see that college can be both accessible and enjoyable! Our funding stream enables you to participate in and experience education and training first-hand. This can be transformative, opening up a new window on the world. Engagement with CAN also helps students to establish key links with colleges of interest to them. All of this encourages and supports students’ onward educational journey.

Who?

CAN has a part-time Access Officer who coordinates, promotes and develops its annual programme of activities which is agreed by the CAN Committee. The Committee is made up of key representatives from each of the CAN schools as well as access staff from Higher Education Institutions. All members have expertise in supporting students to reach their educational and vocational potential.

How?

CAN’s activities are designed to nurture participants’ natural abilities and cultivate a passion for lifelong learning. For students: CAN runs targeted activities across student year groups with particular focus on exam years (3rd and 6th year). For parents: CAN facilitates an adult education programme which offers parents the opportunity to complete 4 modules over a 17-week period in a range of third level subjects without the pressures or cost or exams.

Where?

CAN activities take place both in-school and offsite on college campuses and in training venues or community settings. The parent outreach programme runs in North Clondalkin Library in conjunction with Maynooth University.

When?

School activities run across the academic year, typically from September to May, and operate both during the school day, after school hours and/or during the summer. The parent programme runs for 2.5 hours one morning a week with sessions timed to suit school drop-offs and collections to facilitate parents with caring responsibilities.