School receives big cash windfall to help students

School receives big cash windfall to help students

8 February 2012

A DOWNPATRICK primary school has secured almost £220,000 to enable it to meet the educational needs of children who may experience difficulty settling in a mainstream classroom.

The money has been made available to St. Colmcille’s Primary School by the Department for Social Development (DSD) for the Killough Road school’s  nurturing programme.

DSD Minister Nelson McCausland described the funding award as “great news” for pupils and their parents.

He said it will allow St. Colmcille’s to offer a safe and welcoming environment to promote learning and positive behaviours, allowing pupils to be taught in a way which will address their difficulties and enable them to return to mainstream classes as quickly as possible.

The project was developed by the South Eastern Education and Library Board and St Colmcille’s, working with officials from DSD.

Mr. McCausland added: “I recognise that if we are to tackle the long term spiral of deprivation we must improve the life chances of our children.”

The announcement has been welcomed by South Down MP Margaret Ritchie, who said staff, pupils and parents will be delighted.

“The new unit will provide additional support for young children who find it difficult in the mainstream school setting. I know from speaking to those involved in this project that it will be of great assistance to the overall development of the children who will use the unit,” said Miss Ritchie.

The MP added: “I would like to congratulate the school for bringing this project forward and on their foresight and dedication to the needs of local children.”