Northern Ireland

Approval granted for new integrated post-primary school in Co Down

Carl Frampton, an ambassador for the NI Council for Integrated Education, pictured in 2021 with Elle Brown, a pupil of Cairnshill PS, Rafe McKervey from Blackwater Integrated College and Felix Jackson a pupil of Cedar Integrated PS
Carl Frampton, an ambassador for the NI Council for Integrated Education, pictured in 2021 with Elle Brown, a pupil of Cairnshill PS, Rafe McKervey from Blackwater Integrated College and Felix Jackson a pupil of Cedar Integrated PS
By Suzanne McGonagle Education Reporter

A new integrated post-primary school is to open in Co Down next year after approval was granted by the Department of Education.

Mid-Down Integrated College, which will be located in the Saintfield and Crossgar area, will accommodate 600 pupils.

It will see the closure of the 250-pupil Blackwater Integrated College in Downpatrick to enable the new school to open.

A location for the school has not been yet been announced.

It is hoped the new college will attract pupils who cannot get places in Lagan College.

The development proposal was submitted in 2021 by a Parental Steering Group, which was followed by a period of public consultation before its approval was granted this week.

Former boxer Carl Frampton was among those who backed the plans for the new school.

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Tim Jackson and Frances Lowry, co-chairs of Mid Down Integrated College steering group, said in a statement that it was "incredibly exciting news".

"We cannot state how delighted we are with this decision to grow Integrated Education in the Mid Down area," they said.

"Many, many people have supported us with their time, expertise and good will to get the proposal to this stage and we are truly grateful.

"There is much to do but we are thrilled to be such a significant step forward on this important journey.”

Stephen Taylor, principal of Blackwater Integrated College, said that "governors, staff and students welcome the approval of a new integrated post primary school in Mid Down".

"Due to the limitations of our current site, Blackwater Integrated College can’t expand as we need to and the new school provides a much-needed solution for this as well as meeting the needs of families new to integrated Education." he said.

"We are excited about the future and the massive benefits the new school will provide children of all abilities and backgrounds in the local and surrounding areas including increased Integrated provision and a new provision for post-16 learning.

“Blackwater Integrated College is committed to working with the Department of Education to bring the proposal to reality and our staff, parents and students look forward to the opportunity to become an integral part of the establishment of the new college.

"There will be no disruption to our pupils’ education as we move forward with the process and we will work closely with parents to keep them informed of all plans and decisions throughout each stage.

"It is an exciting time for Blackwater Integrated College and we look forward to opening the new school in September 2024 or as soon as possible thereafter."

Roisin Marshall, chief executive of the NI Council for Integrated Education, said the new school "will ensure that some of the unmet demand in the area is addressed and an integrated pathway from preschool to primary and on to an 11-18 post-primary college will now be a real option for parents".

Tina Merron, chief executive of the Integrated Education Fund, added that she was "absolutely delighted that all the hard work of Mid Down Integrated College Steering Group has finally paid off".