NWRC Maydownreview concerns

Chairman of the Foyle Unionist Association Terry Wright said NWRC needed to discuss developments with “schools, pupils and parents and the wider community to ensure that pupils pursue their studies in an environment with which they feel comfortable.”

A spokesperson for NWRC told the Sentinel: “North West Regional College is currently reviewing its vocational course provision at its Maydown site in Londonderry.

“This review is being undertaken in conjunction with various College stakeholders, including employers, schools and political representatives within the region.”

It follows the blow dealt last autumn when budget constraints meant both NWRC and the Western Health and Social Care Trust (WHSCT) had to pull plans to move into the new multi-use Clondermot school site.

In November it emerged that elements of an ambitious conceptual master-plan for the Clondermot site that proposed health, education, community business and local council services had been scrapped because NWRC and WHSCT didn’t have enough money.

A new training centre for young people and a local Health Trust facility both had to be scrapped due to pressure on the public finances.

On the plan to review the Maydown courses Mr Wright commented: “As far as I am aware the UUP have not been contacted regarding the considerations relating to Maydown. This was discussed before but in the context of developments on the former Clondermot site which have now been shelved.

“We understand the economic situation with which the NWRC has to deal but if Maydown closes all the campuses will be on the city side.”

He said Protestant pupils historically preferred travelling to Limavady rather than Strand Road and although good work had been put in to redress this pupils and parents needed to be given a choice.

“In the not so recent past young people preferred to journey to Limavady instead of travelling to the Strand Road. Thanks to the work of the former NWIFHE and schools involved this pattern began to change and young people were more willing to identify with the NWIFHE and attend courses there.

“In many cases particularly regarding to pupils attending secondary school but going to NWIFHE for vocational courses, studies were sited at Maydown and this arrangement worked successfully,” he said.

“In the light of current possibilities, NWRC needs to discuss developments with schools, pupils and parents and the wider community to ensure that pupils pursue their studies in an environment with which they feel comfortable,” concluded Mr Wright.