Education Minister, John O’Dowd, has approved a development proposal for Loughries Primary School, Newtownards to transform from a controlled primary school to a controlled integrated primary school from September 2016.
Commenting on the decision, Minister O’Dowd said: “I am approving this Development Proposal in line with my statutory duty to encourage and facilitate the development of Integrated Education.
“I am satisfied that sufficient evidence has been provided to support the transformation. This included the results of a vote where parents supported the transformation to integrated status. My approval of this proposal gives the school the opportunity to realise a fully integrated ethos and to attract sufficient numbers from both sides of the community.
“I would like to wish Loughries Primary School well as it commences a new chapter. ”
Alliance Strangford MLA Kieran McCarthy has welcomed the decision by the Education Minister to approve the transformation of Loughries Primary School, Newtownards, to integrated status from September 2016.
Kieran McCarthy MLA said: “This is absolutely fantastic news that the Minister has given the go ahead for Loughries to transform to integrated status. This has been a parent led campaign and I must congratulate everybody who was involved in working to achieve this goal.
“It is clear from opinion polls that there is growing demand for integrated education across Northern Ireland, so I am pleased that there will be better provision of integrated education in the Strangford area.
“This is a great day for integrated education supporters and shows what can be achieved by parent power. I am glad that the Minister abided by his statutory duty to facilitate and encourage the development of integrated education and hope that he will support other such proposals.”
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