Minister Attwood launches Coleraine education project

The project, which was developed by the North Eastern Education and Library Board and nine local schools (two nursery, four primary and three post primary), will establish links between schools and families with the aim of ensuring positive relationships between parents, carers and young people.

The project will involve the appointment of three project workers who will work in partnership with the schools in order to improve educational outcomes.

Speaking at the launch Mr Attwood said: “Improving educational outcomes for our children is an important part of ensuring a solid foundation for their future. Our young people need to be nurtured and providing educational projects like this one will help achieve that.

“By recruiting the support workers, principals and teachers at these schools will be able to focus more on educating and spend less time on social issues.”

The project will employ a range of strategies, such as the development of a drop-in facility for parents and a variety of parenting programmes specific to age range, for example transition from primary to post primary.

It will also offer individual parent support through accessing support from a wide range of organisations in the community.

Mayor of Coleraine Cllr Norman Hillis said: “The entire Neighbourhood Renewal programme in Coleraine has been incredibly well received by the communities that it serves.

“Coleraine Borough Council, DSD and the working groups for Ballysally, Millburn and Churchlands are demonstrating effective partnership working which is essential for the delivery of community based projects.

“The Coleraine Education Project will bring real and significant benefits to the Neighbourhood Renewal areas in Coleraine. The project will run until March 2011 and will seek to develop the capacity of pupils, parents’ schools and associated communities in an effort to enhance their education, quality of life and health and well being in the long term.”

Ian Donaghey, Chair of Coleraine Neighbourhood Renewal Partnership, said: “On behalf of the Neighbourhood Renewal Partnership, I would like to extend our thanks to Minister Attwood for his visit to Coleraine to formally launch the Coleraine Education Project.

“The Minister’s visit has afforded all those involved in Neighbourhood Renewal the opportunity to highlight their contributions and commitment to the programme.

“The Coleraine Education Project is a further step in the delivery of the Neighbourhood Renewal Action Plan in Coleraine. It has been developed in partnership with the local schools and the NEELB.

“The project aims to improve the confidence and self esteem of participating pupils and parents. It will seek to create a strong relationship between home life and school life to address important matters relating education employability and lifestyle.”

The total amount of funding committed to the Coleraine Neighbourhood Renewal Area to date is 3,094,031