Former High School pupil has ‘mixed feelings’ about merger

East Londonderry MLA Claire Sugden, a former pupil of Coleraine High School says she has mixed emotions about the announcement that Coleraien High School and Coleraine Inst will merge.

Last week Education Minister John O’Dowd revealed that Coleraine High and Coleraine Inst will amalgamate, and Coleraine College will increase student intake.

The MLA said: “I have mixed feelings about the announcement from Minister O’Dowd to accept proposals to merge Coleraine High School and Coleraine Academical Institution, whilst increasing enrolment at Coleraine College.

“As an Old Girl of Coleraine High School I believe that the announcement is the beginning of the end of an era; the Lodge Road was made for girls in bottle green. I received fantastic education there and I am grateful for how Coleraine High School shaped who I am today.

“The announcement, however, is positive too because both Coleraine High School and Coleraine Academical Institution are proactive in self-determining their future. They made a decision to come together to avoid a detrimental and inevitable outcome. Additionally, I believe that the increase in enrolment of students for Coleraine College will further the provision of a vocational pathway to students.”

We’ll bring you more reaction on the Education Minister’s announcement in Tuesday’s edition