St Louis Grammar School in Kilkeel is included in the Capital Works Projects announced today by Education Minister Peter Weir at the NI Assembly.
Education Minister Peter Weir has today announced nine schools to advance in design under the Major Capital Works Programme.
Three primary schools and six post-primary schools will benefit from an estimated capital investment of £156 million.
The news has been welcomed by South Down MP Chris Hazzard who welcomed the confirmation from Education Minister Peter Weir that St Louis Kilkeel would be included in the next round of new school builds.
Mr Hazzard said: “This is fantastic news for the school and the wider Mournes community what have been waiting on a new school build for quite some time.
“I am delighted for everybody at the school, for the pupils and future generations of children who will benefit greatly from first class education facilities – and of course the wider school management and Board of Governors who have worked tirelessly in recent years to ensure St Louis was included in this next round of capital funding for local schools.
“I look forward to continue to work alongside the St Louis School community in the years ahead to ensure the smooth delivery of this exciting project, and again congratulate all at St Louis for their efforts.”
New School Building for St. Louis Grammar School Kilkeel
After many years of campaigning the Board of Governors, staff and wider community welcomed the news that St. Louis Grammar School Kilkeel has been brought forward in design under the major capital works scheme from the Department of Education. This is a significant financial investment into education for the South Down and Mourne community securing a wonderful new school building to enhance the magnificent teaching and learning continuously delivered by St. Louis.
A delighted St. Louis Principal, Mr Kevin Martin, paid tribute to the efforts of many to get St. Louis to this point. He said: “Successive Boards of Governors, School Management teams, and local representatives have campaigned long and hard with the support of many stakeholders within the community, and such great news is welcomed as we approach our centenary year”.
Founded by the St. Louis Order in 1922, St. Louis has delivered an excellent quality of education to the people of Mourne, South Down and further afield for 98 years. It has witnessed many changes during this time, including changing from an all-girl boarding grammar school to a modern co-educational grammar school.
Mr. Martin thanked the vision of the Department of Education and the Education Authority in reaching their decision on the future of education in Kilkeel and added: “We believe that the decision to invest in a new building at St. Louis acknowledges the excellent level of education we have delivered to our students over the last 98 years.
“This investment will allow us to continue to deliver a high quality of education to the young people of Mourne and the wider region of South Down for the foreseeable future”.
Speaking in the Assembly, Education Minister Peter Weir said: “I am today announcing nine school projects to advance in design under the Major Capital Works Programme, which will result in an investment in the region of £156 million in the schools’ estate.
“Improving the schools’ estate is one of my priorities and in the current unprecedented and difficult times, I hope this latest announcement regarding major capital investment will send a strong signal to the local construction industry and local communities that the Department of Education is planning for the future and is committed to supporting the local economy and the wider community through the delivery of our capital programme.”
Minister Peter Weir added: “My Department’s capital programme aims to ensure that all our young people are educated in school facilities which are safe, secure and fit-for-purpose, enabling them to receive the quality education experience required to help them to fulfil their potential.
“This announcement today represents another strand of the overall capital programme and follows my announcement in May of funding of a further sixteen projects under the School Enhancement Programme.”
