£6m school plans launched

£6m school plans launched

25 March 2015

ALMOST £6m of development work is officially underway at three local schools.

Education Minister John O’Dowd has cut the first sods on the new £2.49m Knockevin Infants’ Centre in Dundrum, on the £1.69m refurbishment of St. Joseph’s Primary School, at Carnacaville, and on a £1.52m sports hall at Saintfield High School.

The projects are part of the government’s School Enhancement Programme (SEP), which was launched last year to enable refurbishment of the schools’ estate despite restricted budgets.

Knockevin Infants Centre, which is one of the biggest projects earmarked for the scheme, will provide a second campus for Downpatrick-based Knockevin Special School which is coming under increasing pressure for space.

The centre, which will cater for younger children who will then transfer to the senior campus, will be the area’s first early years assessment unit for infants with severe special needs.

It will cater for up to 32 children from three to eight years old in four classrooms. 

Knockevin principal, Anne Cooper, who will be responsible for the split-campus facility, has been campaigning for the new unit for several years.

She said she was delighted with recent developments in the project following lengthy delays and was looking forward to the school being ready for its first intake within 12 months.

Mr O’Dowd said the centre would make a huge difference to children’s learning.

The project at Carnacaville, near Newcastle, will include the construction of three new classrooms, a new multi-purpose hall and the refurbishment of the existing building, while the sports hall for Saintfield High School will enhance the facilities of the school which is fully subscribed.

“Continued investment in our schools estate is essential if we are to help support our teaching staff to deliver a quality education to our children and young people,” said Mr O’Dowd.

“In these difficult financial times, when the capital budget is limited, the School Enhancement Programme is an important means of refurbishing and making the most of the existing schools estate. 

“Projects such as this also provide a much needed boost to the local construction industry.”