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Inner-city primary school to receive new building

Funding is in place for a new build for St Patrick's PS, which serves the New Lodge area
Funding is in place for a new build for St Patrick's PS, which serves the New Lodge area

PLANS for a new school serving a large inner-city parish are to be shared with parents.

Funding is in place for a new build for St Patrick's PS, which serves the New Lodge area of north Belfast.

The school, which has close to 550 pupils, is expected to be ready by September 2019.

St Patrick's was created through the amalgamation of Edmund Rice boys' and Star of the Sea girls' schools in September 2013.

Since then, it has been split across two sites, P1-3 at the former girls' school, and P4-7 at the boys' location.

Principal Margaret Neeson said plans would be shared at an open night next week.

"After a long wait, plans have been finalised and funding has finally been provided to give the children of the New Lodge area this brand new school which is expected to be ready for the pupils to enter from September 2019," she said.

"The new school will be built on the former Edmund Rice site at Pim Street. This much needed facility will be a modern, state-of-the-art primary school ready to cater for all the needs of the children in the area."

Meanwhile, mew £1.3million accommodation has opened at John Paul II PS in west Belfast.

The project provided through the School Enhancement Programme includes four classroom extensions and alterations to the existing building and play area.

"The new facilities provide an extremely welcoming environment and climate that will enable us to ensure that children reach their full potential," principal Raymond Hunter said.

Department of Education permanent secretary Derek Baker said the School Enhancement Programme helped create a better place for pupils to learn and flourish.

"The investment of £1.3m in new and improved facilities at John Paul II PS will have a positive impact on pupils, teachers and school staff now and for generations to come."