Well known Kildare secondary school is seeking to take in students from the UK

A well known local secondary school is seeking to enrol students from the UK.

The prestigious Clongowes Wood College in Clane is among a number of Irish private schools targeting British families, according to The Daily Telegraph newspaper.

It’s reported that the interest is being generated among schools like Clongowes and King’s Hospital in Dublin because the imposition of VAT on UK private schools fees over a year ago means that fees at those schools have increased considerably.

The DT says the number of children attending private schools in the UK has dropped by 30,000 “since then.”

It also pointed out that British students can study in Ireland without the need of applying for a visa - because they are covered by the Common Travel Area - a longstanding border and travel arrangement between Ireland, the UK, the Isle of Man and the Channel Islands.

Clongowes describes itself as the leading boys’ boarding school in Ireland “into which we welcome students from Ireland, the UK and further afield.”

It says its fees are affordable (£22,000 sterling per annum) at half the price of UK fees and references its 550 acre campus “in the heart of the County Kildare countryside.”

It says Ireland’s education system allows it to offer a world class education and premium facilities at less than half the cost of independent UK boarding schools.

Clongowes was founded in 1814 by the Jesuit Order and its past pupils include writer James Joyce, U2 manager Paul McGuinness, former taoiseach the late John Bruton and several high court and supreme court judges, as well as a host of Irish and Lions rugby players, including Eadestown’s Tadhg Beirne.

Clongowes Wood College was contacted for comment.