Knockevin eyes new centre of excellence site

Knockevin eyes new centre of excellence site

21 February 2024

DOWN High School’s Mount Crescent base in Downpatrick could potentially become home to Knockevin Special School when it moves to a new multi-million pound campus next year.

A suggestion to relocate Knockevin’s three existing facilities in Downpatrick, Dundrum and Castlewellan to the grammar school site to develop a new, purpose-built special education needs centre of excellence has been raised with Stormont education minister Paul Givan.

He has been told by politicians that working across three sites is not ideal for the special education needs school’s pupils and staff.

With Down High due to move to its new £35m home at the Strangford Road this September, the Mount Crescent site is being viewed as the ideal location for Knockevin which would ensure all its pupils are educated on the one site.

Currently, some pupils have to travel between the three sites which eats into their time with the one-site option favoured by the school and local politicians. 

While nothing has been agreed and it is very early days, Knockevin has a long-term aim to move to a purpose-built special school on a single site serving the children in the area to enhance the excellent service it already provides.

Such a move would also allow the school to cater for more pupils.

School principal, Sara Liddel, said she and the Board of Governors are working actively on special needs education provision in the area.

South Down MLAs Colin McGrath and Patrick Brown believe the Down High site is perfect to meet the needs of Knockevin and for developing a special needs centre of excellence.

They have been in touch with the Education Minister and hope his department will support any  future proposal to relocate Knockevin’s three current locations on a centralised site.

Mr McGrath, who has called on the minister to “give priority” to Knockevin, says working across three sites is no longer feasible for staff or pupils.

He said everyone associated with the school has done the best they can with what they have, with the result many children receiving an education of the highest quality from early years right up to adulthood.  

“The school is one of the area’s true success stories,” Mr McGrath continued.

“However, what we are witnessing now is a real need to see Knockevin move from operating across three sites to one. There are a number of children within Knockevin that require treatment which can involve travelling across sites and losing out on valuable time that could be utilised for education.”

Mr McGrath said any proposal to relocate the three sites into one location is something the Department of Education needs to support.

“I understand that the current Down High School site will soon become available and this is an option which could be explored for Knockevin,” he continued.

“I recently raised this with the education minister on the floor of the Assembly as he is currently engaging in a programme for sustainable investment in school infrastructure.”

Mr McGrath added: “I believe Knockevin is a perfect example of how such investment is needed and invited him to visit the school to see the great work it is doing.”

Mr Brown confirmed he has submitted an urgent written question to Mr Givan regarding the future of Knockevin.

“This is the only special educational needs school in the South Down area and is currently split across three sites,” he continued.

Mr Brown met with Knockevin’s school principal last month to discuss its future plans and the special education needs support it requires from the new education minister.

He has asked Mr Givan to detail the Department of Education’s plans for the Down High School site when it is vacated and whether he will consider it for a new single campus building for Knockevin Special School.

“Knockevin is a fantastic school which provides an incredibly vital service for special education needs children across South Down,” Mr Brown continued.

“However the growth of the school across multiple sites presents challenges and one single site would greatly enhance its effectiveness. With Down High set to relocate, the site becomes a promising option for Knockevin’s expansion.”

Mr Brown is also seeking a meeting with the Education Authority to discuss the long-term vision for Knockevin, special education needs provision and estate planning in Downpatrick.