Down High gets green light over new school

Down High gets green light over new school

16 May 2018

THERE were double celebrations at Down High School this week when planners officially approved a new school building — as the Downpatrick school celebrated its 85th birthday.

Newry Mourne and Down Council has now rubber-stamped plans for the multi-million pound project on land between the Quoile River and Strangford Road, which is due to open in the summer of 2021.

It has been eight years since plans for the new school were given the green light by the Department of Education, which has listed the project as a priority due to substandard accommodation and over-reliance on temporary classrooms.

Despite that outline approval, there have been extensive delays over full permission due to the sensitivities of the site, which is in an area of outstanding natural beauty and includes a workhouse graveyard.

The Education Authority completed the purchase of the land just before Easter, meaning planning approval was the last stumbling block in the way of the major capital project.

Mrs Perry said there was great excitement about the prospect of moving into a new building by the summer of 2021. 

“Thanks must go to my predecessor, Mr Paul Logan, our chairwoman of the Board of Governors, Mrs Avril Heenan and our local politicians for keeping this project high on the agenda,” she said.

“The new accommodation will have fantastic facilities yet the heart of Down High is our staff, pupils and the wider community and that will not change. 

“Our pupils achieve first class results as high quality learning and teaching and pastoral care happen on this site day after day.”