Schools to merge next year, Board confirms

The North Eastern Education and Library Board has confirmed that a new post-primary school is to be created through the merger of Monkstown Community School and Newtownabbey Community High School - possibly as soon as next year.

“Following careful consideration of the responses from governors, parents, staff and pupils to the recent consultation on future post-primary school provision in the Newtownabbey area, the North Eastern Education and Library Board has recommended the establishment of a new 11-19 school through the amalgamation of Monkstown Community School and Newtownabbey Community High School, to be operational from September 1, 2014, or as soon as possible thereafter. An economic appraisal of the current school sites will now be conducted to identify where the new school will be located,” a statement issued by the NEELB stated.

It’s understood that a development proposal containing the recommendation will be published in early autumn.

Glengormley High School, which had been considered in merger plans initially, will continue independently as an 11-19 school.

See next week’s Times for further details and reaction...