Education Minister cuts first sod on new £45m school for Abbey Community College

Date published: 11 June 2025

The investment of over £45million by the Department of Education will deliver a new school on the Three Mile Water site. The new facility will include enhanced learning provision accommodation and sports facilities.

Welcoming the start of the project at a sod cutting ceremony, Paul Givan said: 

“This is an exciting day for everyone at Abbey Community College, marking the start of a very important programme of construction.

“When complete. the school will deliver many benefits for pupils, school staff and local families. This project will provide modern facilities which will help children and young people at Abbey Community College to grow, thrive, learn and achieve their full potential.”

Construction is due to be completed in November 2027.

Paul Givan continued: 

“There has been considerable work to get to this stage and I would like to commend the school, and the stakeholders involved. Today, they can be proud of this positive step, as they look forward to their new school building becoming a reality. 

“I wish the staff and school management every success for the future and look forward to revisiting the school in future to see pupils thriving in their new facility.”

Principal Fiona Cromie said: 

“This day marks a significant milestone for our community and we recognise the collaborative effort that has led to this point.  We are profoundly grateful to the Department of Education for their generous funding of this build and to our project team for their tireless efforts in progressing the project.”

Hood Magowan Kirk are the Integrated Consultant Team for the project and Glasgiven Contracts Ltd. is the appointed building contractor.