Brothers with passion for education open grinds school
By Maurice Garvey
TWO Templeogue brothers with a passion for entrepreneurship and education recently opened a grinds school in Ballymount, after identifying the need for a holistic facility that supports both students and their families.
Richard Collins, with a background in accounting and finance and his brother Edward, a former school principal, combined their skillsets to create GHQ (Grinds Headquarters).
Brothers Richard and Edward Collins.
The school environment at the renovated Western Parkway GHQ campus, focuses on the whole family, rather than just the student.
“We have renovated the building over the past 18 months to a very high standard,” said Edward.
“We have a strategic development plan in place to expand our creative space offering. Our classrooms are bright, airy and colourful – completely different to what students and parents might expect from normal classrooms.
“We will initially have 10 people working with GHQ, ranging from full to part-time. The majority of these will be teachers with a range of support staff. As we grow, we envisage our staffing numbers to grow accordingly.”
A former principal currently on a career break, Edward was based in the north inner city, working in a community-based high-support school for children considered at risk.
“This school provided holistic educational supports for both students and their families, who often experienced difficulties in previous school settings.”
Supporting the social development of students is something the pair feel passionately about, and they say a key aspect of the environment at GHQ, is based on respect, family participation and social inclusion.
Edward continued: “GHQ have a dedicated home school liaison team that works with the entire family to successfully and positively navigate this important year. It is very important to have the entire family involvement to create the opportunities for success. Our team consists of trained leaders in psychology, counselling, conflict mediation and resilience training.
“What’s more, we have top of the range facilities for parents if they wish to wait for their children – in a warm relaxed environment. Space to take time to relax and take 40/50 minutes for themselves away from the hustle and bustle of everyday hectic life or just to have a coffee with other parents to share and exchange their children’s school experiences.”
Tuition classes are available in Leaving and Junior Certificate, along with supervised study.
The school is open from 4pm up until 9.30pm and they are currently focusing on oral preparation for Irish (March 23), French and Spanish (March 9).
“Once, the oral preparation courses are completed, we will be focused on running workshops on subject based topics throughout April and May.
“Come September, we will be running weekly tuition courses right through to May. For any parent/guardian looking to explore our services more, I am available to meet and discuss options for their children.”
For further information on services visit www.ghq.ie , phone 01 40 80 499, or contact examprep@ghq.ie for oral preparation courses.
