Amalgamation proposal will create ‘an inequality’

Amalgamation proposal will create ‘an inequality’

24 March 2021

DOWN High School has said the proposed amalgamation of three Downpatrick post-primary schools will create “an inequality” of grammar school access between local boys and girls.

Principal Mrs Maud Perry told parents that if the new proposal went ahead, it was likely there would be fewer grammar school places for boys in the local catchment area which would impact on the gender balance of Down High.

The public consultation behind the Education Authority’s proposal to create a single voluntary grammar school from St Patrick’s Grammar School, St Mary’s High School and De La Salle High School ends on Monday.

The final decision will then rest with the Education Minister Peter Weir.

If approved, it will mean the closure of all three schools by September next year with students educated across the three Downpatrick sites until a new purposed built single campus is funded.

Mrs Perry described Down High as a “thriving” co-educational and non-denominational controlled grammar school which enjoyed excellent relationships with all the schools in the Lecale Area learning community.

In a letter emailed to parents this week, she said: “The Down High School Board of Governors believes that the introduction of another co-educational school, with ‘up to 40%’ of pupils’ admitted through academic selection in the small town of Downpatrick is highly likely to create an unevenness in the gender balance of Down High’s intake.”

She asked parents to consider objecting to Development Proposals 604-607 as the Project Board proposing the merger has recorded that the percentage entering the school by the selective route would vary according to the number of places remaining once pupils in the nearest schools (Category A) access places.

She added: “Because ‘Up to 40%’ will be allocated only after Category A have accessed places, it is likely that only a small fraction of 40% will actually access a place through academic selection.

“There will be a reduced opportunity for boys in the catchment area to gain a place through academic selection in comparison to girls of similar ability. If parents continue to opt for selective education for their boys, this will certainly impact on the intake of Down High and create a gender imbalance in a school which is defined as co-educational school.”

Mrs Perry said that should the proposal be approved, it would impact on 1,050 boys, as compared to 411 girls.

Pointing out that Assumption Grammar School in Ballynahinch and St Patrick’s attract many pupils from the same geographical hinterland and traditionally serve over-lapping families and primary feeder schools, she continued: “As Assumption Grammar is not included in the proposal, this imbalance will most certainly lead to a significant redistribution of pupils among the remaining schools in the wider Downpatrick area, including Down High School.

“The Down High School Board of Governors objects to this proposal on the grounds that it will impact significantly and negatively on the gender balance of Down High and create an inequality of access to grammar school places between boys and girls in this area.”

Mrs Perry invited parents to email any comments in support or objections to dps@education-ni.gov.uk by Friday.