New multi-million Down High pound campus delayed until 2021

New multi-million Down High pound campus delayed until 2021

19 June 2019

EDUCATION chiefs have confirmed that the completion date for work on Down High School’s new multi-million pound campus has been delayed.

It was hoped that the ultra-modern building at the Strangford Road in Downpatrick would open next year, with suggestions that it could now be 2021 at the earliest before the doors potentially open.

The proposed development site at the rear of Down Council’s former administrative headquarters was purchased last year — a decade after the green light for the comprehensive new build was given by the Department of Education.

The Department first listed the new-build scheme as a priority in 2009 due to substandard accommodation and an over-reliance on temporary classrooms at the school’s current Mount Crescent site.

There have been a series of delays associated with the development site located in an area of outstanding natural beauty and which includes a graveyard linked to the town’s former workhouse.

A specialist design team has been working on the new school with accesses created at both the Strangford and Quoile roads which the development site borders. 

It is also understood that improvement work will be carried out at the Quoile Road junction with the Old Belfast Road and the Belfast Road junction with New Bridge Street.

Education officials confirmed this week that an archaeologist has been appointed to carry out a programme of work at the new school site over the summer months.

It is understood that the work will include excavations to identify and evaluate any archaeological remains at the site. If any are found, they are expected to be relocated to a nearby site during an ecumenical service led by local clergy.

An Education Authority spokeswoman said it was hoped that construction work on the new school can start next year and that the completion date will extend beyond 2020 as was originally planned.

She said the new school design was at an advanced stage with all statutory approvals being sought. 

The spokeswoman also confirmed that capital funding for the new school was approved by the Department of Education “as part of the announcement for the new school”.

In addition, she said the Education Authority has been working with consultants to develop the design of new state-of-the-art educational facilities for the local grammar school.

“The new building will be located on a new site accessed from the Strangford Road with the campus including car parking, landscaping and playing fields,” the spokeswoman continued.

“An archaeologist has now been appointed to carry out a programme of works in advance of the construction of the new school.”

The spokeswoman said it is expected that the archaeological works will take place over the summer period.

Down High principal, Mrs Maud Perry, said she was aware of the “historic significance” of the development site.

She also revealed that the school community was looking forward to the opportunity to commemorate important parts of local history alongside the younger generation of Downpatrick.

“Discussions have already taken place with Down County Museum staff around the development of pupil resources and I see the significant value in this history being explored through the school’s flourishing shared education collaboration with St Patrick’s Grammar,” the principal continued.

Mrs Perry added: “As a school, we cherish our link with an important part of our past. 

“Plans for an ecumenical service, led by local church leaders, are underway should any historical remains be uncovered and require re-internment.

“We also aim to have a permanent reminder of the historical significance of the site as a feature of our new school.”