Education Minister John O’Dowd has approved the amalgamation of St Joseph’s Primary School, Ballymartin, Moneydarragh Primary School and St Mary’s Primary School, Glassdrumman.
The three South Down schools will amalgamate on a new site and a new building to accommodate up to 205 pupils will be considered for inclusion in a future capital announcement. The location of the school will be determined as part of the economic appraisal process.
The schools will, however, continue to operate separately until a new site and accommodation are identified.
Commenting on the decision, Mr O’Dowd said: “This proposal aims to consolidate and deliver more sustainable Catholic maintained primary provision for children in the Lower Mourne area of County Down in the long term. Having considered all of the available evidence, I am satisfied that approval of the amalgamation is the best way forward.
“Enrolments at the schools are insufficient to justify all three continuing on a stand-alone basis. Amalgamating the schools will ensure the most effective use of resources, in turn delivering better educational outcomes for young people in the area.
“The Council for Catholic Maintained Schools as the managing authority will implement the amalgamation. I will endeavour to move the new-build project on as quickly as possible, dependent upon completion of an approved economic appraisal and subject to the availability of sufficient funding.”
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