Plans for shared unit at Crumlin College

The college, which will effectively close in June next year as an integrated school, has been plagued with falling numbers and uncertainty for some years.

The findings of a consultation, which took place last year, were handed to the Minister of Education who was to make a decision on its future in June.

In a statement this week the North Eastern Education and Library Board said: “Following the consultation on future education provision at Crumlin Controlled Integrated College the North Eastern Board has authorised officers to explore the possibility of the establishment of a Shared Education Post Primary School in Crumlin.

“The Board is currently working with the Transferors Representative Council, representing the Protestant Churches and the Catholic Council for Maintained Schools to determine the feasibility of such a development.”

The school in recent times has been in special measures following an inspection report that criticised the leadership, teaching and exam results. At the time its principal Annabel Scott was removed from her post and sent away for training.

This year a consultation was held for teachers, governors and staff with two proposals - to close the building or to keep the current building and change its current status to maintained.

Last year there were only 169 pupils at the school, with just 19 first formers - which falls way short of government guidelines. It is not known how many first formers have enrolled this September.

Government policy states that there needs to be at least 500 pupils to be considered long-term viable. The ex Crumlin High School was transformed to integrated status in 2006.

In 2010 the school was placed into formal intervention, a process in which improvements had to be addressed following a report that described it as ‘unsatisfactory’ and ‘failing to provide an acceptable standard of education due primarily shortcomings in management.’