Skip to main content
Department of Education Department of Education

Main navigation

  • Home
  • Topics
  • Publications
  • Consultations
  • Contact

Translation help

Translate this page

Select a language

  • Arabic — عربي
  • Chinese (Simplified) — 中文简体
  • Chinese (Traditional) — 中文繁體
  • Dutch — Nederlands
  • Filipino — Filipino
  • French — Français
  • German — Deutsch
  • Hungarian — Magyar
  • Irish — Gaeilge
  • Italian — Italiano
  • Latvian — Latviešu
  • Lithuanian — Lietuvių kalba
  • Polish — Polski
  • Portuguese — Português
  • Romanian — Română
  • Russian — Русский
  • Slovak — Slovenčina
  • Spanish — Español
  • Ukrainian — Українська
  • 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.

    Latest news

    • Have Your Say: Help Shape Northern Ireland’s New Curriculum Framework

      13 November 2025

    • Education Minister cuts the first sod on new £15.3m Millennium Integrated Primary School

      12 November 2025

    • Guidelines on school uniforms issued to schools

      12 November 2025

    • Final call for views on the future of CCEA GCSEs, AS levels and A levels

      5 November 2025

    More news …
    Share this page Share on Facebook (external link opens in a new window / tab) Share on X (external link opens in a new window / tab) Share by email (external link opens in a new window / tab)

    Department footer links

    • Crown copyright
    • Terms and Conditions
    • Privacy
    • Cookies
    • Accessibility
    • The Northern Ireland Executive
    • The Executive Office
    • Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs
    • Department for Communities
    • Department for Education
    • Department for the Economy
    • Department of Finance
    • Department for Infrastructure
    • Department for Health
    • Department of Justice
    • nidirect.gov.uk — the official government website for Northern Ireland citizens