Parents opposed to proposed Belmont and Foyleview merger

WELB has confirmed it is taking forward a Development Proposal to merge two schools in Londonderry. Parents are opposed.

The newly-formed Belmont House Save Our School Committee claim they were presented with a proposal to merge the school with Foyle View Special School on March 26 - immediately prior to the Easter Holidays.

WELB told the Sentinel it is taking forward a proposal for a merger and that it is currently consulting on the prospective move.

The parents’ group has launched an online petition that by Monday (April 15) had already been signed by 378 people.

Foyle MLA Mark H. Durkan has also submitted a question to Education Minister John O’Dowd about the proposal.

He has asked the Minister to “outline the plans for merging Belmont House School and Foyleview School in Derry.”

His question, which was submitted last week, is still awaiting answer.

According to the Belmont SOS group: “The WELB are proposing to merge Belmont House Special School with Foyleview Special School.

“Belmont is a school for Moderate learning difficulties/disabilities. Foyleview also caters for children with severe learning difficulties/disabilities.

“We as parents feel that it’s not in the children’s best interest to go ahead with this merger.”

The petition refers to a promise for a new stand alone school for Belmont in 2004.

Last year, Mr O’Dowd announced Belmont House was amongst 18 schools in Northern Ireland to get the go-ahead for new builds.

Belmont House Special School is to receive £7.4million for the build.

But the parents state: “A new school will only be built if both schools merge. Other schools in the WELB. area have had new schools built without needing to merge.

“Why can’t our children be given a stand alone school as promised? Time is running out fast. Action is needed now!

“We would ask you to support our SOS campaign. Save Our School for our childrens future,” they state.

The concerned parents intend holding public meetings against the proposed move on Wednesday and Thursday in Da Vinci’s Hotel. The meetings are due to take place at 7pm.

A spokesperson for the WELB told the Sentinel: “The Board is taking forward a Development Proposal for the merger of Belmont House and Foyle View School.

“The WELB believes that this proposal will provide for the education of pupils on the full spectrum of special educational needs for the Derry City and surrounding area.

“The WELB is currently on the proposal.”