ST Columba’s College in Portaferry has been ruled out of a controversial merger proposal with three Downpatrick schools.
The future sustainability of the 60 year-old school, however, is still under review by the Council for Catholic Maintained Schools (CCMS).
CCMS also confirmed its intention to continue with the development proposal to merge St Patrick’s Grammar School, St Mary’s High School and De La Salle High School in Downpatrick.
The decision — which became public over
social media on Monday night — was welcomed by St Columba’s and De La Salle but criticised by the Red High Parents and Friends Association over its timing.
Parents of St Columba’s students expressed serious concerns in February about their children travelling to Downpatrick.
CCMS confirmed in a statement that it was the travel issue that had formed its decision to withdraw it from the Downpatrick merger proposal.
CCMS and the Trustees of the Downpatrick/Portaferry Post-primary Project Board said: “CCMS and the trustees have concluded that unique challenges face pupils from Portaferry in terms of requiring additional ferry places to transport pupils to Downpatrick.
“As a result, CCMS and the Trustees are withdrawing St Columba’s College, Portaferry from the proposed amalgamation.”
However, it warned: “CCMS and the Trustees continue to recognise the significant challenges to providing sustainable post-primary provision in the wider Portaferry area.
“This decision facilitates additional exploration of options to address educational opportunities and a review of the school’s sustainability.”
Save St Columba’s Facebook page responded and said: “To say we are delighted is an understatement!!! Here’s to the next 60 years!”
Others celebrated the decision with one woman saying, “Best news ever. So happy that Portaferry will be able to provide a great education for our children for the future.”
Another supporter wrote: “Absolutely delighted to hear of this fantastic news, here’s to another 60 years of excellent education in St Columba’s.”
The Red High PFA has vowed to oppose the merger proposal. In February it threatened to take legal action and organised a vote of no confidence in the trustees of St Patrick’s.
The Red High PFA criticised the communication of the CCMS decision and claimed that neither the school nor it were notified of the decision at the same time as St Columba’s.
In a statement, chair Cormac Artt said: “It is with great frustration and unhappiness that we have learnt via social media of the CCMS/ Trustees’ decision to withdraw St Columba’s, Portaferry from the proposed amalgamation.
“Whilst we are delighted for St Columba’s, as parents we find it disingenuous that such a decision has been made public to one school at this time just as our young people are entering exam time at this crucial stage of their academic life.”
Mr Artt continued: “We believe this is a calculated attempt by the CCMS and Trustees to win public favour in Portaferry and cause division in what has largely been a united campaign to ensure our children’s’ rights to a fair and equitable education in the down area.”
He said that the way the CCMS handled the communication had left parents “feeling angry and disrespected on behalf of our student group”.
He added that the association would be calling for a urgent meeting with the CCMS and Trustees to discuss the impact of their announcement which left the Downpatrick schools “in limbo regarding their future”.
CCMS confirmed last night that it informed all the schools and trustees simultaneously on Monday evening.
De La Salle High principal Ciaran Maguire said he was “delighted” for the families and pupils of St Columba’s.
He added: “The initial proposal was for the three Catholic post primary schools in Downpatrick, this is still very much moving forward and I welcome the imminent statement from the Trustees and CCMS on its current progress.”
The decision that St Columba’s was no longer part of the so-called ‘super school’ plan was also welcomed by Ards Councillor Joe Boyle, who had campaigned against its inclusion.