Major boost for Shimna College as numbers rise

Major boost for Shimna College as numbers rise

26 February 2014

THE pressure on enrolment at the oversubscribed Shimna Integrated College will be eased in September following the Education Minister’s decision to grant 60 extra places.

Shimna Integrated College in Newcastle has been forced to turn away dozens of pupils due to the pressure on places since it opened in 1994.

The school’s principal, Kevin Lambe, is now hopeful the college, which will now have an overall enrolment of 540 pupils, will be able to accept all applicants every year with its first form places increased from 80 to 100.

The college’s sixth form

enrolment has also increased from 80 to 120 students with a view to the school’s overall enrolment being raised to a maximum of 620 pupils in the coming years.

Mr. Lambe said the important thing about the decision to increase enrolment was that it should mean that every year everybody who wants integrated, all ability education in this area should be able to avail of it.

He said the extra places were much-needed by the college.

“We are delighted that the Department of Education has recognised the need and given us the means to meet that need,” he said.

The Northern Ireland Council for Integrated Education (NICIE) has also welcomed the approval by the Minister for Education, John O’Dowd, of additional places in Shimna Integrated College in Newcastle.

Noreen Campbell, from NICIE, said they were committed to ensuring that all parents seeking an integrated place are assured one.

“This increase in places will support this aim in these areas,” she said.

“Six other integrated colleges are seeking to ensure they can meet parental demand through similar development proposals, as are a significant number of integrated primaries.

“It is encouraging to see integrated schools gaining approval to grow.

“Unfortunately, in many areas there is still no integrated choice for parents. Through area based planning, NICIE is seeking to ensure that there is such choice in every area to meet parental demand for integrated education.”