Knockevin pupils move into new Dundrum base

Knockevin pupils move into new Dundrum base

3 February 2016

THE first pupils have arrived at Knockevin School’s new Dundrum campus.

The area’s first early years assessment unit for infants with severe and profound special needs opened on the site of the former Downshire Primary School on Monday.

Twenty three children have now started at the new £2.1m school, which will eventually cater for up to 32 children from three to eight years old in four classrooms. 

It will be a junior feeder school for Knockevin School in Downpatrick, which will now become a dedicated senior school.

The new unit is designed to alleviate pressure on places at Knockevin’s original school in Downpatrick, which is oversubscribed and currently caters for 96 pupils in a building originally intended for 65. 

Knockevin principal, Mrs Anne Cooper, who will be responsible for the split-campus facility, campaigned for the new unit for several years. She said she was delighted to reach the opening day.

“This is a much-needed resource for our pupils and a wonderful new building and we are delighted to welcome our 23 new-starts,” she said.

“There is a great atmosphere in the school and the children are settling in quite quickly for us. They were very calm.

“It is great to be at the point where we are able to meet the needs of children who have not had provision until now due to oversubion in Downpatrick.

“It is great to be able to offer places to children we may have had to turn down in the past.

“It has been a difficult transition for everyone but it is an exciting time and we are all very positive and ready to take on the challenges ahead.”