A meeting on the future of Ballycarry Primary is to be held after the Education Authority launched a pre-publication consultation on the school's potential closure.

Launched on January 20, 2026, the consultation runs until March 24 and will examine "the proposed discontinuance of Ballycarry Primary School with effect from August 31 2027, or as soon as possible thereafter”, according to the EA.

A document published by the education body detailing the background to the proposal notes that controlled primary school provision in the Lower Larne Lough area is currently being reviewed.

Of the three controlled schools in the area, this focused on the school which fell below the ‘Schools for the Future: A Policy for Sustainable Schools’ minimum threshold of 105 pupils for a rural primary school, the document added: "At the Department of Education’s 2024/25 census, Ballycarry Primary School had 39 pupils, while Islandmagee Primary School and Whitehead Primary School had enrolments of 125 and 383.

A meeting on the future of Ballycarry Primary is to be held after the Education Authority launched a pre-publication consultation on the school's potential closure. Photo: Google

placeholder image — A meeting on the future of Ballycarry Primary is to be held after the Education Authority launched a pre-publication consultation on the school's potential closure. Photo: Google

"The Education Authority engaged with Ballycarry Primary School to consider and discuss sustainable controlled provision for the area. EA undertook an analysis of the area considering: pupil distribution, location of schools, finances and availability of places, on an individual school basis and on an area basis."

In reviewing sustainable provision for the area, the report noted the large number of pupils currently travelling from Ballycarry village to attend both Whitehead Primary School and Islandmagee Primary School, the projected decrease in population for the area, no Year One applications for the 2025-26 school year and the availability of places in other schools.

"Before arriving at a final recommendation on the future primary provision at Ballycarry Primary School, the Education Authority is seeking the views of those most directly involved at a local level,” the EA added.

“The Education Authority is seeking to engage in consultation with the Board of Governors, parents and staff of Ballycarry Primary School and Trustees, Board of Governors, and other interested parties in the local community."

Full details on how to respond to the consultation are available at https://www.eani.org.uk/school-management/area-planning/pre-publication-consultations/ballycarry-primary-school

Meanwhile, the community are invited to give their input on the proposals at a public meeting on Thursday, February 19 from 7pm in Ballycarry Community Centre.