Opening of new special education needs school welcomed by politicians

Opening of new special education needs school welcomed by politicians

21 February 2024

THE opening of a new special education needs school in Saintfield has been welcomed by local politicians.

Strangford MLAs Michelle McIlveen and Harry Harvey, alongside Rowallane councillors Callum Bowsie and Jonny Jackson, visited the Oakwood School and Assessment Centre based at the former town’s former St Mary’s Primary School at the Old Grand Jury Road.

The Saintfield building is a satellite for the main Oakwood campus based at the Malone area in Belfast.

Cllr Bowsie said given the lack of special education needs provision in the area, it is great to see the former primary school repurposed for such important use.

He said the DUP politicians, who met school principal Lynn Laverty, were given a tour of the new facility.

“It was clear the staff have done a wonderful job in settling the children in so quickly and making it a safe and enjoyable place for them,” Cllr Bowsie continued.

“It was also nice to see so many local faces with special education needs expertise being able to now work closer to home.”

Cllr Bowsie said he has also received positive feedback from parents the politicians have  been assisting over the past year in relation to the new school. 

He added: “The school has been welcomed by parents more widely who have been crying out for more special education needs provision in the mid-Down area.

“We welcome Oakwood to the area and look forward to working with the school as we seek to resolve some of the issues the principal has raised with us and particularly want to see the school being able to expand.”