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Speaking after attending last week’s public meeting to discuss the future of Immaculate Conception College, Mr Durkan said it would make a very sad statement for the city if Catholic secondary education ceased to be available in the Waterside.

Mr Durkan said: “This was a very well-attended meeting. Strong community support for Immaculate Conception College was well-expressed.

“People understand its value not just as key educational estate but also its asset value in terms of total community importance.

“It was significant that people did not just show a defiant determination to resist the threat of closure. They also showed a positive excitement for the vision offered by the college principal Frank Orr.

“That offered a prospectus of a learning hub with a new education village comprising early years, primary and secondary provision, also interfacing with further education provision with the North West Regional College plans for part of the Clondermot school site.”

He added: “We have to use the challenges inherent in the Catholic Commission for Education’s consultation to commit to a school estate that is sustainable, modern, balanced across the city and community attached.”