Minister praises work at £35m Down High School

Minister praises work at £35m Down High School

24 April 2024

STORMONT Eduction Minister Paul Givan visited Down High School’s new £35m campus which is under construction at the Strangford Road in Downpatrick.

Last Wednesday’s visit to the site – where he met school principal Mrs Maud Perry and Board of Governors chairwoman Avril Heenan – was part of a tour of several local schools.

Mr Givan met staff and Board of Governors representatives at Knockevin Special School in Downpatrick and also visited Ballynahinch High School.

During his visit to Down High’s new school which is due to welcome students in September next year, Mr Givan was accompanied by MLAs Diane Forsythe and Harry Harvey.

Also joining the education minister were representatives from the Education Authority, McAdam Design and Graham Construction to witness first-hand the rapid progress of the build which remains on course for completion next spring.

Mr Givan said he was delighted to see the progress been made on the new school.

He said once completed, the impressive new building will provide ultra-modern facilities for pupils, teachers, governors, local community and wider South Down.

“I commend the hard work undertaken by everyone involved over decades, to get this project to this exciting stage and I look forward to seeing the new school open,” the minister added.

Mrs Perry said she was grateful to the education minister for taking time to visit the site.

She added: “Each time we visit the new build site we are just amazed by the progress and it was a pleasure to share our growing excitement about the move with the Minister.”

Mrs Heenan said the whole school community has waited very long for this much-needed new build to come to fruition.

She added: “It is so very encouraging to witness the incredible rate of development being delivered by the teams from the Education Authority, McAdam and Graham. 

“We thank Minister Givan for attending and were glad to have the opportunity to share with him some of the journey to this point, as well as highlighting the benefits this building will bring to our school community.”