Works begins on almost £45m worth of new school buildings in NI
The principal of a Co Down post primary school has said the beginning of work on a new £38m building is 'a significant milestone for the school community'.
Clare Foster was speaking as Education Minister Paul Givan helped to cut the first sod on the project at Strangford Integrated College.
It was one of two new school building projects to break ground on Thursday, with the minister also visiting Kilronan Special School in Magherafelt, where work began on a £4.9m extension to accommodation.
'Staff and students are excited to see the new building progress,' Ms Foster added as work officially commenced in Carrowdore.
'Since we opened our doors in 1997, Strangford Integrated College has continued to grow in numbers and reputation. This new building on our existing site will enable us to provide students with access to high quality integrated education in a modern, state-of-the-art, energy-efficient building in which our young people will continue to thrive and flourish.
'Our students deserve the best start in life, and we are looking forward to the opportunities that the enhanced school facilities and top-class sporting facilities will offer to both students and staff.
'A great deal of work has gone into getting to the new build project to this stage I would like to thank the Department of Education, project consultants AECOM and the Board of Governors for their support in making this happen.'
News Catch Up - Thursday 22 May
The Strangford Integrated College scheme is being funded under the Fresh Start capital programme and Mr Givan said he was delighted to see the progress being made.
'The significance of this £38m investment will be reflected in the many benefits it will deliver for pupils, families and staff and the wider community,' he said.
'This major project will provide modern new facilities that will support the teaching and learning needs of the pupils for many years to come and create an environment that helps them to thrive.'
The minister also paid a visit to Magherafelt where work was getting underway on Kilronan School's new £4.9m single storey extension with new specialist classrooms, social areas and support accommodation as part of the School Enhancement Programme (SEP).
It's the first of 10 special school projects to proceed, having been announced in the second tranche of 16 schools to receive a funding commitment in 2019.
'This is an exciting day for everyone at Kilronan, marking the start of a very important programme of construction,' the minister said.
'The investment of nearly £5m will deliver many benefits for pupils, school staff and local families. This project will provide modern facilities which will help children and young people to grow, thrive, learn and achieve their full potential.'
Construction is due to be completed in late summer 2026 and Principal Sharlene Deehan said she was delighted to see work finally underway.
'Governors, staff, parents and pupils are delighted to be at this stage of our SEP Journey, and we are thankful to the previous principal, governors and staff who initiated the project many years ago.
'On completion the SEP should provide equality for our learners with their mainstream peers in terms of resourcing and experiences, providing a modern, bright building which will vastly enhance the day to day running for the ever changing profile of pupils, our dedicated and caring staff and indeed the whole school community.'
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