About

Southwest Campus, Ballyfermot Road (known as BCFE) is a constituent College of the City of Dublin Education and Training Board (CDETB).  The CDETB is the patron of the College, as laid down in the Education and Training Boards Act 2013.

BCFE’s Mission Statement

BCFE is a college of further and higher education providing vocational education through the provision of excellent teaching and guidance in a caring and supportive learning environment.

BCFE’s Core Values

  • Equal opportunities and access.
  • Respect for each individual.
  • An open and flexible approach to learning.
  • Student-centred.
  • Commitment to innovation and improvement.

College Governance & Management

(a)   Board of Management

BCFE is governed by a Board of Management (BOM) which is made up of representatives of the CDETB, the local business community, educational representatives, teachers and students.  The BOM serves for five years. However, each year two students – one male, one female – are chosen from our pool of Student Representatives to sit on the Board of Management.

The BOM has as its remit the management of BCFE on behalf of the CDETB, in accordance with relevant legislation; Department of Education and Skills circulars, guidelines and procedures; and any policies or strategies that the CDETB may establish regarding the operation of its schools and colleges.

Our BOM aims to provide direction and oversight for BCFE while ensuring that the rights of all members of the BCFE community are upheld and that the BCFE is accountable in its operations.

(b)   Our Management Team

BCFE’s Management Team comprises of the Principal Cecilia Munro, two Deputy Principals Dr Denis Murray and Kenneth Rea, Assistant Principals (I and II), all of whom are members of the teaching staff.

BCFE History

Established in 1979 as the Senior College, Ballyfermot the college was a provider of senior cycle, second level education and pre-employment programmes to local young people. The first post Leaving Certificate courses began in 1980 and the funding of Vocational Preparation and Training Programme (VPTP) education by the European Social Fund enabled the college to establish itself as one of the first Colleges of Further Education in the State. The delivery of second level programmes was phased out in 1993 and the college is now the second largest provider of Further Education in Ireland. It was renamed Ballyfermot College of Further Education in 1999.

Faculties

  • Education, Adult and Community Education
  • Arts, Humanities and Creative Media
  • Business, Administration and Law
  • Creative Arts and Media
  • Health and Welfare
  • Social Science, Journalism and Information

Buildings

The college is made up of three buildings:

  • Main Building, located on Ballyfermot Road
  • Media Building, located on Ballyfermot Road
  • Arts Building, located on Kylemore Road