Schools with declining numbers to amalgamate

A DEVELOPMENT proposal to amalgamate St Mary’s Boys’ Primary School and St Mary’s Girls’ Primary School, Strabane, has been approved by the Education Minister John O’Dowd.

In May the Western Education and Library Board (WELB) proposed the schools - both having experienced declining numbers - should be amalgamated to form a co-educational primary school with effect from September 2012, or as soon as possible thereafter.

Approving the move the Minister commented: “The amalgamation of St Mary’s Boys’ Primary School and St Mary’s Girls’ Primary School, Strabane, will create a sustainable, co-educational local primary school and nursery unit.

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“While the evidence shows that pupil numbers at the separate schools have been declining, there is however still a need for a maintained primary school in the area.

“I therefore believe that these schools are very well placed to achieve a successful amalgamation that meets parental demand and that will provide a broad, balanced curriculum for their pupils in a new school which is viable and sustainable in the longer term. It will also ensure that there is continuous co-ed provision from nursery level through to post-primary level.

“I would like to take this opportunity to wish the staff and pupils every success in the future.”

The schools are currently separate single-sex maintained primary schools. The existing girls’ school will house pupils in the nursery unit, Foundation Stage and Key Stage One, with Key Stage Two pupils housed on the existing boys’ school.