Work on a 31 million school building project has begun which will mean pupils of different faiths will be educated on opposite banks of a river in two years.
A series of closures, mergers and relocations mean that by 2016, Derry's Cityside will be home to every Catholic post-primary in the city. By that time, every non-Catholic school will have deserted that area and crossed the River Foyle to settle on the Waterside.
Education minister John O'Dowd marked commencement of work on site for the new Foyle College and Ebrington PS at the former Clooney army barracks site last week.
The educational divide at post-primary level has been years in the making.
There were originally two Waterside Catholic secondaries - St Brecan's Boys' and Girls' - which became the single St Brecan's High. It changed its name to Immaculate Conception, which is due to close in August. A Save ICC campaign group claimed major investment in Catholic schools on the Cityside in recent years helped accelerate their college's demise.
Meanwhile, on the Cityside, where once there were numerous non-Catholic post-primaries, there will soon be none. Londonderry High School, which itself was created by a two-school amalgamation, merged with Foyle College to become Foyle and Londonderry. The state-controlled Templemore Secondary School shut down in 2003.
Now, Foyle and Ebrington will be constructed using a phased approach. The first phase is the primary school and energy centre which is due to be completed by September 2016. The proposed new school build is for a 14 class base school with two moderate learning difficulties speech and language units and a double nursery.
The second phase is anticipated to complete in 2017 and will comprise of a new build for 850 pupils, including new teaching accommodation, grass pitches, synthetic tennis courts and a 3G pitch.
Education minister John O'Dowd said he was delighted to visit the site to officially mark the start of construction work.
"This is an exciting period for all the pupils and staff from both schools. I have no doubt the new facilities will enhance the learning experience and ensure that both schools are well equipped to deliver the curriculum for now and for future generations to come," he said.
"Improving the schools estate remains a key priority for me and I will seek additional funds to ensure that this area of work continues to get the attention it deserves.".....
