Northern Ireland

School seeking to switch from Catholic to integrated sector still facing fight to avoid closure

Seaview PS in Glenarm wants to be the first Catholic school in Northern Ireland to transform
Seaview PS in Glenarm wants to be the first Catholic school in Northern Ireland to transform Seaview PS in Glenarm wants to be the first Catholic school in Northern Ireland to transform

A CATHOLIC school seeking to be the first of its kind to transform to integrated status is still facing a fight to avoid being shut.

A ballot of parents at Seaview PS in Glenarm overwhelmingly supported the school joining the integrated sector.

The small primary boasts a mixed enrolment and is expecting numbers to increase substantially over the next three years.

No Catholic school in the north has ever transformed.

Seaview is being reviewed separately by the Council for Catholic Maintained Schools (CCMS).

CCMS is in the process of completing a consultation on the proposed closure with staff, parents, governors and pupils.

It had been hoped this work would be shelved to allow the transformation proposal to progress.

However, CCMS said it would review responses to its consultation before deciding whether to proceed with a proposal to close the school from August 2021.

"CCMS's proposal does not pose a risk to the progress of an integrated option," a spokesman said.

"The board of governors of Seaview are in the process of commencing a development proposal for the establishment of an integrated school.

"If CCMS proceed with a proposal to close Seaview PS the two proposals, one for closure and one for the establishment of an integrated school, would be viewed in tandem by the Department of Education. CCMS will assist DE in supporting the provision of integrated education, as appropriate."