New integrated schools for North
The British government today announced the expansion of integrated education in the North and the closure of two traditional primary schools.
Education minister Maria Eagle rejected proposals for the creation of a number of new integrated primary and post-primary schools and the granting of integrated status to two existing schools.
The minister said the British government was fully committed to increasing the levels of integration within the education sector, which was why it had asked Sir George Bain to examine the issue as a core element of his recently published Strategic Review of Education.
She said she had decided to approve the establishment of Rowandale Primary School in Moira, the transformation of Tyrella Primary to controlled-integrated status and the phased expansion of Omagh Integrated Primary School.
She also signalled the closure of Ballycastle Nursery and the opening of a nursery unit at the Ballycastle Integrated Primary School.
Ms Eagle said she had decided not to approve the proposal for a new integrated post-primary school for Antrim.
“I felt that the proposal is premature as other options for developing integrated provision for this area are currently being explored.”
The minister also turned down proposals for the establishment of new integrated primary schools in Ballymoney and Strabane and the transformation of Collone Primary in Armagh and Knockbreda Primary in Belfast to integrated status.
She said: “Young people have a need and a right to interact with young people from other communities through their education. I must stress to parents across Northern Ireland that I am committed to ensuring that all children have that right.
“This can be met through integrated schools but, as the Bain Report makes clear, there are other ways to create this important element of the education experience.”
The minister said she would be bringing forward a detailed British government response to Bain early in the new year.
Meanwhile, the minister signalled the closure of two existing primary schools.
Ballyduff Primary in Newtownabbey, which has an enrolment of just 25, is to close at the end of the current school year.
Ms Eagle said she believed closure was in the best interests of the pupils and their transferral to alternative primary schools would afford them increased educational opportunities.
