Sir, – I am annoyed and disappointed yet again to discover that The Irish Times, as the paper of record, in its supplement School League Tables 2011 (November 22nd), has printed inaccurate information in relation to the Leaving Certificate students of Riversdale Community College, which does not reflect the true picture.
Riversdale Community College is listed as having 89 Leaving Cert students. Thirty-six of the 89 are adults from the Co Dublin VEC Adult Education Centre who have returned to education. These adult learners sit two subjects at Leaving Cert level and use Riversdale Community College as an examination centre. Two subjects, however, do not qualify them for a place in third-level. Fifty-three Riversdale students sat the Leaving Cert in June 2011 with 22 (41.5 per cent) going on to third-level, not 25 per cent, which was recorded in your supplement. This misinformation may influence parents when choosing a second level school for their sons/daughters.
It is interesting that in relation to grind schools, many students sit their examinations in external centres. The Irish Times has managed to redistribute these students and attribute them to the grind schools in which they studied for the Leaving Cert, thus ensuring that the college progression rate of these students is as accurate as possible (Page 8 of supplement). I would expect The Irish Timesto exercise the same care and attention to detail for the students of Riversdale Community College to ensure accuracy.