A PLAN to shut the only non-selective secondary school in one of the north's largest towns appears to have been shelved.
The Education Authority (EA) had been considering several linked proposals that would lead to the closure of Movilla High School in Newtownards.
Four other schools in north Down and Ards stood to receive more than 1,000 extra pupils between them in the shake-up.
The Irish News revealed the plans after they had been approved at a meeting of the EA's education committee earlier this year.
The committee had agreed that Movilla High would "discontinue" by 2024. The full board was due to consider the plans further.
At the time, the Controlled Schools' Support Council said it was "very concerned".
It pointed out that Newtownards was a large town, and it was "worrying that it will potentially be without a non-selective controlled post primary option for local pupils".
It was reported last night, however, that the school had been given a reprieve.
While Movilla has been in `formal intervention' since 2014, its GCSEs results have been improving and enrolments growing.
Critics of the EA plan said shutting Movilla would have meant providing free transport for 300 more pupils than receive bus passes now.
There would also be significant accommodation costs if other schools in the area were allowed to expand.
Movilla's Facebook page last night carried a post that said the principal had received a letter from the EA.
The letter said: "In response to changes in circumstances at Movilla High School, the school is no longer included within the proposals being brought forward to the education committee for approval."
The school said: "This means the proposals to close the school have been shelved. Such great news and the whole school community are really delighted.
"A huge big thank you to all our entire school community of pupils, parents, staff, and governors. Our local politicians and elected representatives, the community support of so many external organisations, the business community, Controlled Secondary Schools Council, Ards and North Down Borough Council, Ards Presbytery and the support of all our local churches. A wonderful start to the new academic year."
The EA had also planned to award extra places to other schools in North Down and Ards, including increasing enrolments at Bangor Academy, Glastry College, Nendrum College and Regent House Grammar.
There has been intense pressure on school places in those areas for the past two years.
