St Malachy’s Primary School, Kilclief, campaign steering committee appeal to the community for support
The rural community in Kilclief is battling against bureaucracy to ensure that its beloved primary school remains open despite plans to the contrary by the Council for Catholic Maintained Schools (CCMS).
A spokesperson for the CCMS said in October that the Operational Plan 2 of the Strategic Area Plan 2022 – 2027, was published on 16 January 2025.
“This included a work stream for the Strangford and Kilclief Area in which the Council for Catholic Maintained Schools (CCMS) proposed to review maintained primary school provision in the area, added the spokesperson.
“A link to the strategic plan can be found at:
https://www.eani.org.uk/school-management/area-planning/strategic-area-plans-2022-27
“and a link to Operational Plan 2, can be found at:
https://www.eani.org.uk/schools/other-help-for-schools/area-planning/operational-plans
“The CCMS plans carry out a pre-publication consultation with parents, staff and governors from St Malachy’s Primary School and St Joseph’s Primary School on the future of primary provision in the area.
“The consultation is due now to commence in January 2026.”
St Malachy’s PS Steering Committee Chair Speaks Out
John Hanna, Chair of the St Malachy’s PS steering committee said: “The Tractor Run has been a first class event proving us with vaulable funds and excellent PR for the cause of keeping the school open.
“We are an independent steering campaign group. The school’s board of governors has already been talking to the CCMS.
“We called a public meeting and from that we were asked to form a steering committee which we have done. We held public meetings in Kilclief and in Strangford and invited families, past pupils and current pupils. There was standing room only when 130 attended.
“It seems that the CCMS wants to expand the pupil accomodation at St Jospeh’s PS in Strangford but there are a number of issues with this.
“Our parish were shocked to hear about this closure proposal. We then formed the steering committee to get the campaign moving.
“Our aim is to challenge the CCMS and look closely at their arguments for school closure at St Malachy’s PS. The school is a key part of our parish life along with the community and the church. That could all change if the school is closed. The school and the church have been key pillars in this equation for over 100 years.
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“We will reach out to our community and their arguments will be pulled together and if necessary delivered to the Education Minister. The Minister should then decide on the arguments.
“We will not be going down without a fight. The fundsraised from the Tractor Run and other events coming soon will help pay for any legal bills we may face.
“The Parents Teacher Association in St Malachy’s is also assisting us in this campaign. We have lots of boots on the ground.
“Last Sunday, we were overwhelmed at the support from the local farming community. There were over 100 tractors and around 30 vintage cars taking part. It was quite a spectacle.
“Our thanks go out to everyone who supported the event. It demonstrated the determination of people in this area to fight the closure proposal.
“And I want to give a special thank you to Deer’s farm contractors from Upper Ards who filled a ferry with tractors from Portaferry.”
There was to be a pre-consultation meeting with the CCMS last FRiday but that was cancelled said John.
John Hanna added: “The parents of pupils at St Malachy’s PS are determined to resist the closure. Many families locally go back generations having attended the school. There is a strong emotional attachment to it.
“They are deeply concerned about the heavy traffic that passes the front door of the Sttangford School and the lack of adequate and safe parking. It will be quite dangerous dropping more children off at the school gate.
“Strangford has significant traffic problems at the moment. Adding to them will only increase risk to children.”
SEE TRACTOR RUN PHOTOS BY DOWN NEWS FACEBOOK ON THIS LINK
Some pupils at St Malachy’s PS also have special educational needs and the steering committee are also very keen to see how these pupils can be accommodated.
“Our petition has already reached over 4000 signatures and there is wide public support for our case.
“We really need to think about the future of out rural schools. It’s not just about finances at the end of the day.”
A Parent Opens Up About The Challenges Ahead If The School Closure Still Threatens
Down News spoke to one parent who does not wish to be named for personal reasons. She said that she has a daughter in the P4 class and will be going into the P6 and P7 classes at a crucial time for her school transfer test.
“It seems that the CCMS has already put up a closing date for the school further adding to the certainties and anxieties around closure.
“There are around 37 pupils in the school presently, and before we had a permanent principal 15 had left to go to the school in Strangford.
“The school is going well now and this news came like a bolt out of the blue. Everything is very positive in the school and the pupils have been thriving.
“The school principal has said it is ‘business as usual’ and that is re-assuring to the pupils. But the parents are confused and may need to consider options to which school to send their children to if the school closed. The are schools in Dunsford and Ardglass which may be able to take in pupils.
‘But for many of the parents, teh school in Strangford on the main road is just not acceptable due to traffic speeds and lack of parking.”
SEE TRACTOR RUN PHOTOS BY DOWN NEWS FACEBOOK ON THIS LINK
School Principal Comments
Ciaran Clifford, Principal at St Malachy’s Primary School, Kilclief, said: “It was necessary for the CCMS to create a timelime for the consultation process but any closing date is not cast in stone. There has to be a consultation period, and if necessary, the Minister will ultimately decide.
“Should the Assembly be in election mode or a Minister not yet appointed, the Permanent Secretary then has the power to decide the future of the school.
“It is an uncertain time for the pupils and their families, and also for the staff at the school who may be affiliated to different unions. Their jobs could be at risk.
“So the consultation will begin in early 2026.
“Our job is to keep the children safe and happy and focussed on their studies. In that respect there will be the school trips, and preparations for Christmas, the Christmas school fair on Thursday 4th December from 6-8pm, and more… just as normal.
“It is re-assuring that the community and parents is fully behind the school.”
