Decision day for Ballykeigle campaign

Decision day for Ballykeigle campaign

23 November 2011

A DECISION about the future of Ballykeigle Primary School outside Comber is expected on Monday.

Education commissioners are considering the future of the rural primary school which is under consideration for closure due to its small enrolment.

The school’s enrolment, which is currently around 43, falls below the minimum threshhold of around 100 that is considered necessary to ensure long-term viability.

However, parents and governors associated with the school are hopeful they may have convinced commissioners to reconsider the proposal to close their school.

They have submitted a large file to the South Eastern and Education and Library Board, outlining their ability to increase enrolment to 70 within four years and giving details on why parents choose Ballykeigle.

One parent associated with the school, who asked not to be named, said she was optimistic commissioners would consider maintaining Ballykeigle Primary School after reading their data about the school.

“We have given in a lot of supportive evidence that we hope will show the high level of community support for the school and its value for many children and their families,” she said.

“We have a list of parents who will send their children to the school if they are assured that it will be preserved. We will now await Monday’s decision.”

On Monday, a decision is also expected about the future of Knockmore Primary School in Lisburn, which has special needs units that cater for local children.

Parents from the Downpatrick area have been lobbying for the retention of Knockmore, which they say provides an irreplaceable service to their special needs children.

The school currently caters for 159 pupils, 66 of whom attend the specialist units, and has experienced growing enrolment in recent years. However, it requires almost £300,000 of refurbishment work, which the SEELB cannot afford.

Parents fear this maintenance backlog could seal its closure.

Downpatrick mum Mrs. Lianne Lundy, whose son Sean attends Knockmore’s speech and language unit, said he thrived within his specialist setting and feared the impact the school’s closure would have on vulnerable children like him.

“There are several parents from this area whose children are collected and taken to Knockmore PS every day,” she said.

“It offers services that are tailored for our children, including three social communication units and four speech and language units.

“Our concern is that there are no other suitable units to take our children if it closes and we have no idea what will happen to them.”