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  • Education Minister officially opens new £7.3 million school at Phoenix Integrated Primary School

    Date published: 9 April 2025

    Education Minister, Paul Givan has officially opened a new, state of the art school at Phoenix Integrated Primary School, Cookstown.

    Education Minister Paul Givan pictured with Principal Heather Watson, Chair of the Board of Governors Elizabeth Simpson, Sean Pettis Chief Executive NICIE, Paul Caskey Chief Executive IEF and pupils at the official opening of a new state of the art school at Phoenix Integrated Primary School, Cookstown.
    Education Minister Paul Givan pictured with Principal Heather Watson, Chair of the Board of Governors Elizabeth Simpson, Sean Pettis Chief Executive NICIE, Paul Caskey Chief Executive IEF and pupils at the official opening of a new state of the art school

    The £7.3 million project, funded through the Fresh Start Programme supported by the UK Government, will provide a new seven class-base school and single nursery unit.

    Speaking at the event, Education Minister Paul Givan said: 

    “I welcome the opportunity to be here and celebrate the official opening of these magnificent new facilities.  The investment of over £7.3 million will help to improve the school experience for pupils, staff and the wider Phoenix Integrated Primary School community now and for years to come.

    “The opening of any new school building is something to be celebrated and these new facilities can only inspire children from the Cookstown area and beyond. This investment also signifies my Department’s confidence in the success, importance and future of everyone involved with Phoenix Integrated Primary School.”

    The Minister continued: 

    “I would like to commend staff, pupils, parents and the Board of Governors for their perseverance and patience over the last number of years as the project team has taken the work through the various stages to where we are now. A fantastic, new, state of the art building.

    “I wish the staff and school management every success for the future in their new facilities as they advance on their education journey.”

    Construction on the site began in January 2023 and was completed in August 2024.

    Notes to editors:

    1. McAdam is the Integrated Consultant Team on the project.  Ganson UK Ltd were appointed to carry out the construction works.
    2. The Fresh Start funding forms part of the UK Government's commitment, as part of the Fresh Start and Stormont House agreements, to deliver new capital funding to support shared and integrated education.
    3. Follow us on X @Education_ni
    4. Media enquiries to the Department of Education Press Office at Press.Office@education-ni.gov.uk.

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