Three schools in closure plan

Published Monday, 28 November 2011

Three schools controlled by the South Eastern Education and Library Board have been earmarked for closure as part of major plans to reform education in Northern Ireland.

The schools at the centre of the proposals are Ballykeigle Primary near Comber, Redburn Primary in Holywood and Dunmurry High.

A two month consultation process on the plans will now take place.

Meanwhile, Knockmore Primary school near Lisburn has been saved from closure.

Parents and local political representatives got together last month to lobby against a proposal from the South Eastern Education Board to shut it.

"We have had absolutely emotional scenes at the school today," Jonathan Simpson, who was involved in the protest, told UTV.

"It is just such an overwhelming experience; it feels like years almost that we have been fighting the campaign - it is hard to believe it is only from 10 October.

"It is just amazing to see how everything has come together", he added.

The Knockmore Working Group also released a statement on Monday, welcoming the news.

"We are ecstatic with the decision reached by the SEELB not to proceed with the proposed closure of Knockmore Primary School", the statement read.

"This is a victory for the community of Knockmore Primary and a victory for all children.

"It is an acknowledgement of the high level of educational standards provided within Knockmore Primary School", it continued.

Comments

2 Comments

GP in Lisburn wrote (178 days ago):

If we ignore the facts that the SEELB promised investment in Knockmore a few months ago, ignored their own and the DEs guidelines both on counting pupils and review of viability of the school and made this decision outside of the review of education announced by the minister, surely not knowing when you receive submissions to that review would indicate an extraordinary level of incompatance. Schools that do not meet the min criteria should close, Knockmore does if you follow the rules that the de and seelb made up.

j in belfast wrote (178 days ago):

I hate to see kids routes changed and upset, but I feel that these make total sense. I know from local knowledge that Redburn is small and, with a number of other primary schools in the area makes complete and total sense. I mean, looking from purely financial point of view, how much could that one school save if you look at total costs of the school? Add in the potential land sale and money could be used elsewhere. I hope the boards go forward and don't bow to a few disgruntled parents.

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Three schools in closure plan

Three schools controlled by the South Eastern Education and Library Board have been earmarked for closure as part of major plans to reform education in Northern Ireland.