School confident closure threat has been defeated

School confident closure threat has been defeated

18 September 2013

A RURAL primary school under threat of closure is claiming victory in its battle to keep the doors open.

St. Patrick’s Primary School at Burrenreagh near Castlewellan was the only school in Down District recommended for closure under a major review into all primaries in Northern Ireland.

Teachers, parents and politicians were jubilant last week when a telephone call from an official from the Council for Catholic Maintained Schools (CCMS) indicated the organisation had suspended the process to close the rural primary.

The CCMS subsequently revealed the process had not been suspended, resulting in politicians calling on Education Minister John O’Dowd to investigate why contradictory messages about the future of the school had been issued.

School officials are now in possession of a letter from the CCMS which confirms that until the outcomes of the consultation on the draft area plan on the future of all primary schools are fully considered, the organisation will be “putting on hold” any consultation on proposals for the future of Burrenreagh Primary School. The letter gives no indication how long this will be.

St. Patrick’s principal Mr. James Hunt and Mrs. Siobhan Rice, chairwoman of the school’s Parents’ Support Group, say as far as they are concerned the direction of travel for the rural school is now clear, describing the mood in Burrenreagh primary as “very positive.”

“We are working towards the long term future of the school and are currently doing so in a very positive manner,” declared Mr. Hunt.

“There is a great feeling of jubilation among the parents. They have worked incredibly hard and continue to do so in prompting the school and their belief in what Burrenreagh represents is evident in their approach. It is a truly unique school and I am confident that it has a long future ahead of it.”

Mr. Hunt said the school’s enrolment has risen over the past six months and he believes St. Patrick’s will continue to grow in strength, providing a “caring environment with excellent academic standards and a place where every child can flourish.”

Mrs. Rice said she’s delighted the CCMS has officially confirmed in writing that it has “suspended the proposal to close the school.”

She continued: “We always remained confident that this confirmation would happen. We believe this is the right decision and proves how highly the school is valued within our community.

Mrs. Rice said the Friends of Burrenreagh are confident that St. Patrick’s can continue to grow and continue to play an important role in educating the children in the community.

She added: “St. Patrick’s offers so much more than high academic results. With its breakfast and after school clubs, it provides a helping hand for working parents. The school’s rural location also adds to the attraction for parents as we feel a rural school teaches our children important environmental lessons from its surroundings.”

A CCMS spokeswoman confirmed it is still awaiting the outcome to the consultation on the draft area plans on the future of primary schools before bringing a proposal for consultation to the local community. She said there remains no change to the provision for St. Patrick’s Primary School for the current school year.