O’Dowd retains existing integrated post-primary provision in Crumlin

Education Minister John O'Dowd has turned down a development proposal to close Crumlin Controlled Integrated College.

The Minister has also turned down a development proposal to establish a new grant-maintained integrated college in Crumlin which would have been established to replace the existing school.

Commenting on his decision, the Minister said:

“I have carefully considered both proposals put forward to me and I have decided that integrated post-primary provision should remain in Crumlin.

 I acknowledge and understand why the then NEELB brought forward the proposal to close the existing school and why the Crumlin Supports Integrated Education Steering Group, in conjunction with NICIE, brought forward their proposal to open a new school.  In turning both down, and allowing Crumlin Integrated College to remain open, I have given the community an opportunity to avail of and support integrated post-primary provision in their area.”

In conclusion, the Minister said: “There are challenges ahead for the school and I will be writing to the Education Authority and NICIE to ask them to work closely with it in order to build on the educational improvements made to date and address the issue of low enrolments.

 There is clearly a level of demonstrated demand for integrated provision in Crumlin, and in recognising it I am carrying out my statutory duty to encourage and facilitate the development of integrated education.  It is crucial that the community in turn supports its local school so that it can become sustainable and successful.”

Notes to editors: 

1. On 18 November 2014 the former North Eastern Education and Library Board (NEELB) at the request of the Northern Ireland Council for Integrated Education (NICIE) published a Development Proposal (DP) 299 proposing to establish a Grant Maintained Integrated (GMI) Co-Educational 11-19 Post Primary School with an enrolment number of 600 in Crumlin from 1 September 2016 or a soon as possible thereafter.
2. On 2 December 2014 the NEELB published DP 300 proposing that Crumlin Controlled Integrated College will discontinue with effect from 31 August 2016 or as soon as possible thereafter.
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