Crumlin Integrated earmarked for closure?

A consultation for teachers, governors and staff closes in March with two proposals - to close the building or to keep the current building and change its current status to maintained.

For the past few years Crumlin Integrated has been dogged with many problems following an inspection report that criticised the leadership, teaching and exam results. Its principal Annabel Scott was removed from her post and sent away for training.

In June, when she returned parents protested outside the school and then in September a death threat was made against her and she has since carried out her duties elsewhere.

In a follow up inspection report in November it stated, “It is clear that the current arrangements for communications between the principal and the staff are not effective,”

There are currently only 169 pupils at the school, with just 19 first formers who enrolled in September 2012, which falls way short of government guidelines. Government policy states that there needs to be at least 500 pupils to be considered long-term viable.

Sceptics say that if the decision was made to keep the building which only has the capacity for a maximum of 400 pupils cannot be increased to cater for more pupils and is not wheelchair accessible. Some say that if the building was to remain open the building would have to be knocked down and rebuilt with a name change.

From March the general public will have a chance to take part in the consultation which will run until June. The findings of which will then be given to the Minister of Education who will then make a decision on its future.

Transformed

The former Crumlin High School had a tradition of receiving Catholic pupils and was officially transformed to integrated status in 2006.

In February 2010 the school was placed into formal intervention, a process in which they must address improvement identified at inspection following a damning report that described it as ‘unsatisfactory’ and ‘failing to provide an acceptable standard of education due primarily shortcomings in manangement.’

A spokesperson for the North Eastern Education and Library Board said that closure is just one of the proposals set out under the current consultation.

“The North Eastern Education and Library Board is currently consulting on the future of provision at Crumlin Controlled Integrated College,” the spokesperson said.

“This involves seeking the views of the Board of Governors, staff, parents and pupils. The consultation commenced on December 6, 2012 and will close on March 6, 2013.

“The two options for future provision under consideration are: a shared management school in collaboration with the Catholic Council for Maintained Schools, or closure with effect from August 31 2014.

“At the end of the consultation period, responses will be considered and should a recommendation be agreed by the North Eastern Board, a Development Proposal will be published opening a two month period of public consultation. The Minister for Education will then consider the proposal and make a decision on future provision.”