Hopes for Knockevin build

Hopes for Knockevin build

5 May 2021

HOPES have been raised for a new build project at Knockevin Special School in Downpatrick.

A Department of Education confirmed this week 

that the school will now be eligible to apply for a new build project.

The news follows parents learning last week that an expected extension to replace mobile classrooms was not going ahead. 

A Department of Education spokesperson said: “The Education Authority (EA) made the difficult decision to withdraw Knockevin School from the School Enhancement Programme (SEP) based on the evidence provided by a feasibility study, which identified that theneeds of the school could not be met by the SEP project on the school’s existing constrained sites.

“Under the SEP protocol, Knockevin School would not have been eligible for a new build project for seven years, had it progressed as a SEP.

“By withdrawing the school from SEP, the EA could now submit Knockevin School for consideration for a future special school major works call.

“In the interim, the EA has advised the Department that they intend to take forward a programme of maintenance and minor works projects at the school to address the immediate accommodation pressures and the most urgent health and safety issues.”