£21m thumbs up for new Down High School

£21m thumbs up for new Down High School

17 June 2015

A NEW £21m complex for Down High School has finally been approved.

The final hurdle in the decade-long pursuit of a new campus for the grammar school on the outskirts of Downpatrick was overcome yesterday with news that the business case has been rubber-stamped.

This means the three year construction project on a state-of-the-art building at Strangford Road should begin by the summer of 2017.

Officials yesterday confirmed the approval of the business case, which comes six years after planning approval for the new greenfield site, adjacent to the Quoile River, was made.

The news has elated the school community which has persistently campaigned for the new school due to the restricted nature of the existing site at Mount Crescent and the dependance on temporary accommodation due to growing numbers.

This time last year, the scheme was further delayed when education officials revealed they had spotted a potential alternative site at Ardglass Road while carrying out an obligatory trawl of public sector land. 

This site needed to be fully examined before the business case could be sealed and the purchase of the Strangford Road site proceed.

However, school principal Mr Paul Logan yesterday confirmed the business case has now been approved, meaning the purchase of the land can go ahead alongside the appointment of a design team. The team will immediately set to work creating an in-depth plan of the new school, which will include new pitches and a new astroturf pitch for hockey.

Mr Logan said staff were excited by the news, which he said had caused a great sense of anticipation throughout the school.

He said this crucial step had been made possible thanks to the hard work of governors and colleagues, the support of Assembly members and MPs Margaret Ritchie and Jim Shannon.

“There are so many officials at the education authority and the Department of Education who deserve our gratitude for moving this project forward,” he said.

“This is marvellous news for everyone in the Down High School community and will enable us to provide state-of-the-art facilities for generations of future Down High School pupils.

“Down High School is a marvellous school which has a unique and very special ethos. Today’s news will ensure that Down High School gets the only thing that is currently missing, top class facilities.”

News of the significant progress for Down High School has been welcomed by politicians including South Down MP Margaret Ritchie and Independent Unionist Assemblyman John McAllister who have both helped the school pursue the new-build project.

“It is hoped that work should begin in the summer of 2017 with the next steps being the purchase of land and appointing the design team,” said Miss Ritchie.

“This is very good news for the community and I look forward to further progress. I will continue, as before, to pursue this project with the Department of Education.”

Mr. McCallister said he too was delighted for staff, governors and pupils on achieving this milestone.

“We must keep pressure on the Departments of Finance and Education until the new school is completed – but this is a hugely positive step for all associated with the school,” he said.

South Down MLA Chris Hazzard said he is delighted Down High School’s plans for a major new campus have taken a “significant step forward” with approval for the business case now in place.

“Everyone associated with the school will be looking forward to contractors moving on site and the construction of a new £21m school which will provide the local building industry with a significant boost,” he said.

“The hard work of so many people to deliver this project and see it through to fruition is paying off.

This is a very good day for Down High School, its pupils, parents and teachers and education in South Down,” he added.