‘We will thrive’ Ballougry head

Carol Campbell, wrote to parents after ‘Putting Pupils First,’ the Western Education and Library Board (WELB) Draft Strategic Area Plan for Primary Schools, was published last week.

The plan showed that 27 per cent of Londonderry primary schools - including Ashlea, the Fountain, Ballougry and Culmore - don’t have enough pupils under Mr O’Dowd’s sustainable schools policy.

It suggested they now must think outside the box in terms of providing for the future education of children in the city.

But Ms Campbell pointed out that Ballougry’s enrolment is actually rising, a fact acknowledged in the plan itself.

In a letter to parents, Ms Campbell wrote: “In September 2013 we will have 91 pupils on roll. Although this falls short of the 105, which is deemed to be the figure for a sustainable school our enrolment has increased steadily over the past years so we are in a strong enough position for the area plan not to impact on us.”

The draft plan says the “pattern of enrolment” at Ballougry has been increasing but the school is still earmarked for a “local area solution.”

This is difficult to envisage for Ballougry, which is situated in a growing population centre and miles from any other Primary School, this side of the border.

And Ms Campbell points out that despite being a Controlled School - a sector favoured by the majority of the city’s Protestant population - Ballougry is naturally integrated.

“We are a naturally integrated school and there is no other provision for this type of education in the area,” she wrote.

She also pointed out that a viability audit tested Ballougry against the criteria contained in the Department of Education’s (DE) ‘Every School a Good School’ policy document and that it passed with flying colours.

Parents were informed: “At Ballougry our performance is such that we can meet and excel in all of the targets set by the Department of Education.

“These include: performance in assessments and exams; breadth and balance of curriculum; the quality of the schools development plan; outcomes of inspection; the quality of the school’s financial managements; quality of accommodation; range and uptake of extra-curricular activities; collaboration with other schools and colleges.”

She concluded: “The staff at Ballougry are fully committed to the education and welfare of the children. With your continued support we will thrive and prosper in the future and continue to provide your children with a broad and balanced during their primary school years.”