New school hope in Ballynahinch

New school hope in Ballynahinch

By Ciara Colhoun

A SUCCESSFUL end may be in sight for Drumlin's Integrated Primary School's 10-year campaign for a permanent building.

Plans have been submitted seeking outline permission to create a new primary with seven classrooms at the site of the former Ballynahinch Library headquarters at Windmill Lane.

The plans have been submitted by the architects working on behalf of the school, which is seeking to acquire the site subject to the appropriate planning approval.

If plans are passed, it would finally pave the way for a new purpose-built school for the integrated primary, which was established with just 12 primary one pupils in 2004.

Since its establishment, school principal, Mrs. Janice Marshall (right), has worked with governors and parents to secure a permanent building.

This week, she said the building was needed as much as ever by the school, which has been oversubscribed for several years.

Although the plans for Windmill Lane are at an early stage, she said she was hopeful it could finally signify a happy ending to a tireless campaign.

"Drumlins Integrated Primary School is working with the Department of Education to try to secure a site for the future development of the school," she confirmed.

"We are looking forward to putting down more permanent roots in the town and are hopeful that we may have firm good news to mark our tenth anniversary later this year."

But despite her optimism about the outline plans, Mrs. Marshall said the school's "compromised surroundings" within an industrial estate at Lisburn Road and the lack of space and facilities had never really "held it back."

"We have been oversubscribed for five or six years," she said.

"Parents know what they are looking for in a school and have steadfastly supported us over the years and our campaign for permanent facilities for our children.

"The best part of finally getting a new building would be a reward for the parents, staff and pupils who have struggled and compromised over the years and put up with things that they will no longer have to put up with.

"Sometimes when you fight hard for things it makes you all the more determined to do well. We are confident our children are already getting a well rounded education that will hold them in good stead in the future. A new building would be a great reward for everyone."