Statement on Nazareth House Primary School

Date published: 12 December 2025

Paul Givan said: “The temporary closure of Nazareth House Primary School was necessary to ensure the health and safety of the pupils, staff and parents. I share the understandable frustrations of the school’s principal, Róisín Blackery and the wider school community.  Years of underinvestment in our ageing school estate have left us facing difficult decisions and in this case, the only option was to temporarily close the school.”

The Minister confirmed that, following intensive work with the school leadership, the Council for Catholic Maintained Schools and the Education Authority, a contingency plan has been agreed. 

He continued:

“I have spoken to Mrs Blackery and conveyed my thanks to her and her staff for their efforts to minimise the disruption for pupils. It has been agreed that from 7 January, pupils and staff of Nazareth House Primary School, including the nursery, will share a site with St Anne’s Primary School.

“These temporary arrangements will remain in place while urgent remedial works are carried out to make the roof of the main school building safe, with the aim of allowing the whole Nazareth House school community to return to learning on their own site by half-term break in February 2026.

“I want to record my thanks to the Principal and Board of Governors of St Anne’s Primary School for making their facilities available to the Nazareth House Primary School community in these emergency circumstances. I also want to acknowledge the efforts of Bishop Street Community Centre for hosting pupils during the pre-Christmas period.”

Confirming that planning for longer-term repairs is already underway Paul Givan said: 

“In parallel with the temporary contingency arrangements and the remedial works, my Department has commenced planning for the more extensive roofing works, which will be prioritised for delivery.

“The experience of the Nazareth House school community brings into sharp focus the critical and long-standing issues of school infrastructure and funding. I remain committed to improving the condition of our school estate and have called for urgent, cross-party support to secure the investment needed to ensure that every child in Northern Ireland is educated in a safe, modern and inclusive environment. The current situation cannot continue.”