Unit financial aid for Downpatrick school welcomed

Unit financial aid for Downpatrick school welcomed

20 February 2013

A DOWNPATRICK primary school is one of ten which is sharing a £1.1m funding package which has been announced by Stormont education minister John O’Dowd.

The cash will be used by St. Colmcille’s Primary School located off the Killough Road to boost its nurture unit which caters for children who require help in addressing barriers to learning arising from social, emotional or behavioural difficulties.

Welcoming the Downpatrick school’s cash boost, South Down Assemblyman Chris Hazzard said nurture units such as the excellent facility at St. Colmcille’s help play a key role in tackling under-achievement early in a child’s life by providing targeted support where it’s needed most.

He said the Minister’s announcement will be welcomed by parents in the Downpatrick area whose children require short-term, focussed interventions.

“For small groups of children to benefit from this intensive support inside school premises gives parents peace of mind that their children continue to remain part of the wider classroom group,” Mr. Hazzard continued. “Moreover, it’s likely that all children will return to their classes full-time within three school terms.”

Mr. Hazzard said bearing in mind the recent good news concerning the development of a new multi-million pound campus for Down High School in Downpatrick, it’s great to see further investment in education in the town.

He added: “As we look to improve the lives of those who live and work in Downpatrick, it’s vital we have all the building blocks in place and there is no better place to start than with our children.”