Small rural schools must work together to ensure sustainable area solutions - Weir

A proposal to re-configure Catholic maintained primary school provision in the Dunamanagh area of North Tyrone has been turned down.

Proposals were brought forward by the Council for Catholic Maintained Schools (CCMS) to amalgamate three small rural schools (Altishane Primary School, Loughash Primary School and St Patrick’s Primary School) to form a new Catholic maintained co-educational Primary School. A fourth small rural school in close proximity opted out of the proposed area solution prior to publication of development proposals.

Speaking about his decision, Minister Weir said: 

“The children and young people in the Dunamanagh area of North Tyrone deserve access to an educationally sustainable and financially viable primary school that is capable of delivering a high-quality educational experience.   

“My decision to refer this matter back to the planning authorities reflects the bringing forward of a set of proposals that would not in my view deliver a fully sustainable area solution. I would encourage schools to work with the planning authorities to agree sustainable and viable education provision for the good of all pupils in an area.”

Notes to editors: 

1.  The EA, on behalf of CCMS, published the following development proposals on 16 March 2016. The two-month statutory objection period for the proposals ended on 16 May 2016.

• DP 433:Altishane Primary School:With the view to facilitating the establishment of a new Catholic Maintained, co-educational primary school, it is proposed that Altishane Primary School discontinues with effect from 31 August 2016 or as soon as possible thereafter.
• DP 434: Loughash Primary School:With the view to facilitating the establishment of a new Catholic Maintained, co-educational primary school, it is proposed that Loughash Primary School discontinues with effect from 31 August 2016 or as soon as possible thereafter.
• DP 435:St Patrick’s Primary School:With the view to facilitating the establishment of a new Catholic Maintained, co-educational primary school, it is proposed that St Patrick’s Primary School discontinues with effect from 31 August 2016 or as soon as possible thereafter.
• DP 436:A new Catholic-maintained, Co-educational, Primary School for 105 pupils (being in effect an amalgamation of Altishane Primary School, Loughash Primary School and St Patrick’s Primary School, Dunamanagh) be established with effect from 1 September 2016, or as soon as possible thereafter.The new Catholic Maintained, Co-educational Primary School to have an admissions number of 15 pupils.

2.  A copy of the submission which informed the Minister’s decision will be published on the Department’s website.

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