Longford town's two Catholic single-sex girls and boys secondary schools are to join forces to become a new co-educational school which will be called Coláiste Mel agus Mhuire.
In a move that will mean the end of single-sex education for teenagers in the town, Meán Scoil Mhuire and Saint Mel's College will now seek approval for the move from the Department of Education.
The decision follows a process of consultation with parents, students, school boards of management and staff at both of the schools, as well as the parents of children attending local primary schools. In a joint statement, the patrons of the two schools - CEIST and the the Bishop of Ardagh and Clonmacnoise - said that following the conclusion of consultations the views of all these groups "were reflected on and carefully considered by the Patrons of both secondary schools and their respective Boards of Management".
"The Patrons then entered into discussion with the Department of Education, seeking to establish the best option going forward", the statement said.
The two school patrons will now formally submit an application to the Department of Education seeking approval.
The two schools cater to around 600 students each.
The amalgamation is part of a wider national move away from single-sex education in favour of co-ed. It is a development that is generally favoured and supported by the Department of Education.
The newly amalgamated Catholic school will become the town's second co-educational post-primary. The multi-denominational Templemichael College is its only current co-educational provider of second-level education.
The intention is that the new school will be based at the site of St Mel's.
"This application will request that the Department provide capital funding to facilitate modern school accommodation for an amalgamated school of 1,200 students which will be based on the Saint Mel's College site" the statement said.
The amalgamation is due to be completed by September 2027.
