Technical education in Ireland has a history that stretches back over hundreds of years. The Dublin Philosophical Society was founded in 1683 followed by the Royal Dublin Society in 1731. These learned bodies sought to promote improvements in agricultural husbandry, manufacture and the useful arts and to promote the study of the sciences. These initiatives saw the development of a number of regional centres. These in turn paved the way for the popular Mechanics' Institutes one of which was subsequently located in Wexford town.

During the nineteenth century official bodies such as the Commissioners for National Education (1831) and the Department of Science and Art (1851) extended state support to technical and manual instruction. In 1893 the Technical Education Association of Ireland was founded and it articulated the need for a national system of technical training. 1899 saw the passing of the Agriculture and Technical Instruction (Ireland) Act.

The foundation of the new state and the establishment of Dáil Eireann added fresh impetus. The need for a pool of competent workers that would provide the skills necessary for economic expansion and the modernisation of the economy became a national concern. In 1927 a Commission on Technical Education was appointed to review the educational system. The Commission's report was highly critical of the educational system that prevailed at the time. Its report provided the basis for the Vocational Education Act 1930 and the establishment of a national network of vocational schools.

The first vocational schools in Co. Wexford were based in towns and villages. In 1950-1951 the total enrolment in the county was 480 students in seven schools Enniscorthy, New Ross, Gorey, Bunclody, Adamstown, Kilmuckridge and Sheilbaggan.

While the vocational schools were based in towns and villages there was also a corps of teachers who were not attached in any particular school. These were known as Itinerant Teachers. In country areas they held classes in rented accommodation known as Rural Centres. Often the classes were held in the afternoon or evening to facilitate work on the land. Rural Centres in the South Wexford area were located at various times at Baldwinstown, Ballymitty, Bridgetown, Kilmore, Kilmore Quay, Kilrane, Mayglass, Mulrankin, Rosslare and other areas.

Bridgetown Vocational School opened in September 1952, The boys' class was housed in a large store owned by Walter Doyle, while the girls' class was located in the A.O.H. Hall in the town. The enrolment stayed around the 30-40 range and it was in danger of closing. Eventually in 1965 a new purpose-built school was opened in a green field site on the outskirts of Bridgetown village and shortly afterwards the school in Kilrane was closed and students from the area were bussed to Bridgetown.

During the last twenty-five years the educational system in this country, particularly at second level, had expanded and developed dramatically. In fact, the last quarter of a century has seen our second level system expand two-and-one-third times, a rate which is half as fast again as in most European countries. The percentage of full-time students remaining in school to the end of our second level compares favourably to many richer European countries and is about twice as high as in our nearest neighbour, Britain.

The introduction of 'free education' in the late 1960s was partly responsible for the dramatic expansion referred to above, but the attitude of the Irish people to education was a much more important factor. They were eager to take advantage of the opportunities which were offered, and second level student numbers increased quickly in the following decade. It was obvious that the secondary system would not be able to cope with this expansion, a fact recognised by the Department of Education in 1969 when, for the first time, Vocational schools were allowed to offer the Inter. Cert, to their students. This was followed in most centres, within a few years, by the granting of permission to follow Leaving Cert, courses.

These changes brought with them many problems and difficulties but they also brought many advantages. The greatest advantage by far was that for the first time children from rural areas, regardless of family circumstances, could follow second level courses right up to Leaving Cert. Another advantage for Vocational schools was the appointment of highly qualified and highly motivated young teachers who brought with them youthful enthusiasm and a professional approach to the job.

Bridgetown Vocational College is an excellent example of how one second level school has coped with the expansion in the seventies and eighties. Having survived for many years in rented accommodation in the village, it was a proud day for all involved when, on the 18th of October 1965, forty-four students and five teachers moved into a new building on the present site capable of catering for up to 100 students. Although branded by some as a 'white elephant' the school grew rapidly and was overfull by the end of the decade.

The numbers continued to increase and by 1976, when students sat for the Leaving Cert, for the first time, enrolment stood at 329. A new school was opened on the present site in 1984 to cater for over five hundred students. Since then, four additional classrooms have been added and we are now one of the largest rural, second level schools in Ireland with 646 students, forty-one teachers and four ancillary staff. So, while the Irish second level system expanded by two-and-one-third times in the last twenty-five years, Bridgetown grew six fold. It is little wonder that strangers coming to the school for the first time are amazed to find such a massive complex on the outskirts of a small rural village.

Bridgetown serves a wide catchment area and caters for the majority of those leaving sixth class in every national school within that area along with many from outside. It is, however, from the Parish of Kilmore and from the parish school -once the largest rural national school in the country - that Bridgetown receives its greatest support. It is this support which has allowed the school to grow in size and in stature.

By maintaining an interest in the subjects traditionally taught in Vocational schools and building on that tradition, schools like Bridgetown can now offer a very broad curriculum which is the envy of many schools from the secondary tradition. Students are taught in mixed classes, just as in national school, and all enjoy an equality of subject choice. A full list of subjects available can be viewed in school prospectus, but it is worth pointing out that eighteen subjects are on offer on the first-year-Leaving Cert, curriculum, including three continental languages. Beyond the Leaving Cert, the externally examined and certified Business Studies Course is at least the equivalent of any similar course in a Regional College.

The impressive developments outlined above would not have been possible without the co-operation and support of the local community and the close involvement of parents. The local second level school is no longer 'The Tech'. It has changed fundamentally. To properly reflect this change the V.E.C. recently changed the school's title, to 'Bridgetown Vocational College'
The present Principal is Tony Power B.A., H.D.E.. He started his career in Bridgetown in 1971 and took up his present position in 1985.

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