Twelve years of disagreement between the former Board of Ashton Comprehensive School and the Department of Education and Skills about the patronage of the school came to an end on 29th November 2011 when a new Board of Management commenced its work.  Throughout that period the Bishop of Cork negotiated with the Department and historic progress was made.  For the first time in the case of a Church of Ireland school, a Bishop has now entered into co-patronage of a school with a Vocational Education Committee, in this case, the City of Cork V.E.C.

The representatives of the co-patrons – the Bishop himself and Mr Ted Owens, CEO of City of Cork VEC – joined the members of the new Board on 29th November to send them on their way.  Mr John Deane has been appointed Chairperson of the new Board by the Bishop (following consultation with the City of Cork VEC).  The Board will hold office for five years.

The New Board of Management of Ashton Comprehensive School, Cork. Back row (l-r) Ms Alison Flack, Mr Gearóid Ryan, Dean Nigel Dunne, Ms Nuala Remo, Ms Máire Roycroft, the Reverend Adrian Wilkinson and Mr Ian Cunningham; Front row (l-r) Mr Malcolm Tyrrell, Ms Amanda Welch, Mr Adrian Landen (Principal), Mr John Deane (Chairperson), Ms Sandra McKeown and Mr Ted Owens.