Sisters Isabel and Victoria Makwe relax on a wooden bench, made for the leaving certificate examination, in the woodwork classroom at Ashton School during the open day for prospective students and their families on Thursday 26th September 2024. "Ashton School is a Church of Ireland co-educational school located in Cork city. Since its opening in 1972, it has traditionally served the Protestant community but also welcomes students from the wider community where the availability of places allows. Ashton has an extensive campus on the Blackrock Road which includes a multipurpose synthetic grass pitch, a grass soccer pitch, a sports hall and tennis courts. The present state-of-the-art three storey teaching block was officially opened in 2015. Ashton currently has 540 students and a teaching staff of 45. Ninety places are offered each year to First Year students." Pic Larry Cummins