MP to meet Minister over Crumlin College

South Antrim MP Danny Kinahan plans to meet the Education Minister to discuss the long term plans for Crumlin Integrated College.
Crumlin Integrated CollegeCrumlin Integrated College
Crumlin Integrated College

Mr Kinahan said that there is a ‘real need’ for a post primary school in Crumlin and said he will continue to fight to keep it open.

Last year, Education Minister John O’Dowd turned down a development proposal to close Crumlin Controlled Integrated College.

He also turned down a development proposal to establish a new grant-maintained integrated college in Crumlin which would have been established to replace the existing school.

At the time Mr O’Dowd said, “It is crucial the community supports its local school so it can become sustainable and successful.”

There are currently just around 100 pupils enrolled at the college. The principal, Dr Annabel Scott works off site and a new state of the art £20m school at Parkhall, in Antrim just eight miles away, is to open in September 2017.

Mr Kinahan said, “I will continue to fight for the future of the Crumlin Integrated College as I firmly believe Crumlin must have a school of its own and I will also continue to fight for a post 16 education there too.

“There will always be doubt as to the future of any school and a joined up approach to education between schools in South Antrim where so many leave for other schools means we always have excellent grounds for keeping the school.

“We must remember it’s successful exam results, inspections and so many other strengths mean it has a terrific base on which to build.”

Ray Gilbert Senior Education Officer with EANI said, “All school provision matters are kept under review in the context of Area Planning and the Department of Education Sustainable Schools Policy.”