New School Enhancement Projects announced

Education Minister Peter Weir has announced 18 schools which will advance in planning under the second call to the School Enhancement Programme (SEP).

Twelve primary schools, five post-primary schools and one special school will benefit from an estimated capital investment of £45 million.

The Minister made the announcement in the Assembly and said: “This is a significant investment which will deliver much needed capital investment in the schools estate. More importantly, this is an investment in the future of our young people and will enhance the quality of their learning experience, leading to better educational opportunities and outcomes.

“Improving the schools estate is a priority for me and the SEP scheme is an excellent way of delivering capital work projects which have an immediate positive impact on the schools, staff and pupils and, indeed, local communities.”

To date, 41 projects have been announced to advance in planning under the second call to the School Enhancement Project. This follows 50 schools which benefitted from investment under the first SEP call.

Concluding Peter Weir said: “Today’s announcement is not only good news for pupils and schools but it will also represent a welcome boost to the economy, especially the construction industry.

“In addition to this SEP announcement, I intend to continue to advance the programme of major capital builds as well as a programme of much needed minor works across the estate. I will also look to invest in maintenance works across all schools.”

Design work will begin immediately with construction work expected to start in 2022/23.

Notes to editors: 

1. The list of schools which will advance to planning under SEP are:

PRIMARY SCHOOLS

• Botanic PS, Belfast
• Carrick PS, Lurgan
• Cliftonville Controlled Integrated PS, Belfast
• Glencraig Controlled Integrated PS
• Holy Child PS, Londonderry
• Irvinestown PS
• Kilcooley PS, Bangor
• Killinchy PS
• St John the Baptist PS, Belfast
• St Kieran’s PS, Dunmurry
• St Paul’s PS, Mica Drive, Belfast
• Strabane PS

POST-PRIMARY SCHOOLS

• Glastry College, Ballyhalbert
• St Louis Grammar School, Ballymena
• St Patrick’s College, Maghera
• Sullivan Upper School, Holywood
• Victoria College, Belfast

SPECIAL SCHOOLS

• Riverside School, Antrim

2. The School Enhancement programme is for capital schemes costing between £500,000 and £4,000,000.
3. A first list of 25 schools to advance in planning under SEP2 was announced on 8 May 2018; with a second tranche of 16 schools announced by the on 21 January 2019.
4. Follow us on Twitter @Education_NI
5. Media enquiries to the Department of Education Press Office Tel: 028 9127 9207. Out of office hours, contact the Duty Press Officer on 028 9037 8110 and your call will be returned.

Share this page