40 schools under threat of closure

Action plan warns of falling numbers

DOZENS of schools are facing closure or mergers, it was revealed yesterday.

The Education Authority’s Annual Action Plan has listed around 40 schools they say are facing major changes, adding they include “schools where sustainability is now an issue”.

Its research “confirms in some areas we have too many school places for the number of children available to fill them”.

Any decision to close or merge schools would be subject to consultation. But, the document adds: “Circumstances may arise which will necessitate the Education Authority and/or partners having to progress actions/proposals in advance of publication of the plans.”

The EA’S director of education John Collings told the BBC: “We must maximise the use of the schools’ estate through sharing and co-operation to ensure the educational experiences of our young people are the best they can be.

“This will also help reduce duplication and ensure efficient use of resources.” However, some schools are opposed to any plans to merge or close them, such as Mercy Primary School in North Belfast, which could merge with Holy Cross Boys and Holy Cross Girls primary schools.

The financial position of a school and how many pupils it has can be used to decide if a school is sustainable or not.

Other factors are quality of educational experience, strong leadership, accessibility and strong community links.

Over a third of primary schools have fewer than 105 pupils, while almost half of post-primary schools have fewer than 500 pupils.

In a statement, Michael Gormley, principal of St Patrick’s College in Dungiven, Co Derry, said: “Governors, staff, pupils and parents are surprised we have been included in this action plan.

“We are more than meeting the needs of the local community. If the decision has been taken on the size of the enrolment, then it is a sad day to be punished, by the State, for having the temerity to be small and successful.

We are more than meeting the needs of the local community

MICHAEL GORMLEY ST PATRICK’S DUNGIVEN