Support for Mid Down Integrated College plan

Support for Mid Down Integrated College plan

22 February 2023

PLANS for a new all-ability integrated post-primary school in the area were outlined at a public meeting in Killyleagh last week.

The meeting outlined the detail of a development proposal for a new inclusive 600-pupil Mid Down College which is designed to address a lack of sixth form places and also allow pupils with special educational needs the opportunity to access their education in a mainstream setting in their local area.

Alongside members of the Mid Down College Steering Group were representatives from the Northern Ireland Council for Integrated Education and the Integrated Education Fund were in attendance to answer questions.

To date, over 1,000 people — including parents and members of the community — have expressed an interest in the proposed new integrated college which could be built on a greenfield site between Crossgar and Saintfield.

A formal submission for the new school has already been submitted to the Education Authority and if the ambitious development proposal secures the green light, the new school will be the first integrated post-primary to be built in Northern Ireland in over two decades.

The Mid Down College steering group, which organised last week’s public meeting, is delighted with the support its proposal has received from hundreds of parents and said it highlights and reinforces the need and demand for the new school in the Mid Down area.

Alliance said there is demand in the Mid Down area for the new school as currently, integrated schools are already heavily oversubscribed and there is no local provision for post-primary children to satisfy this demand.

The party says while Lagan College is one of the most popular integrated post-primary schools for the Mid Down area, it is over-subscribed and a high number of pupils are not being placed in their school of choice.

Alliance says that in 2019/20, a total of 537 applicants, of which 423 were first preference applicants, applied for 220 places at Lagan College.

Last week’s meeting heard the proposed new Mid Down school will serve an area covering Downpatrick to Carryduff and all of the Rowallane area.

Those in attendance were told by the school’s steering group that plans for the proposed new school are currently out for public consultation.

South Down MLA, Patrick Brown, who was one of a number of Alliance representatives who attended the meeting, praised the steering group for its “fantastic work” work in producing a development plan for the new integrated school serving the Downpatrick, Saintfield, Crossgar area. “Year after year, integrated schools are oversubscribed and it’s clear parents in the area want an integrated option up to sixth year for their children,” he continued. “The Mid Down campaign has our party’s full support.”

Strangford MLAs Nick Mathison and Kellie Armstrong are also supporting the new Mid Down College proposal.

Mr Mathison said he was “delighted” to attend the public meeting to learn more about the hard work that has gone into the development plan for the new integrated college. 

“The fantastic turnout and positive interest shows that there is a clear appetite for post-primary Integrated education provision in the Mid Down area,” he added.

Mrs Armstrong said that since her Integrated Education Act became law, more parents are coming forward, asking for an integrated education for their family. 

She added: “As Lagan College is oversubscribed, there is a need for more integrated education places for Saintfield, Crossgar, Ballynahinch, Killinchy and Downpatrick area. 

“The proposed new school will include the existing pupils and staff from Blackwater Integrated College with the new intake, expanding integrated education in the area,” she added.

Rowallane councillor, David Lee-Surginor, said integrated education is so important to the community and ensures every child, no matter what their background, gets an opportunity to study and play together. 

“The plan is for the new Mid Down Integrated College have an admission number in year eight of 100, with an overall enrolment number of 600. They will offer a high-quality education of academic and vocational qualifications,” he continued.

“It is no surprise over 1,000 people, including parents have expressed an interest in the plans and they have our full support.”

There are currently a number of integrated primary schools in the Mid Down area including Cedar PS in Crossgar, Ballynahinch’s Drumlins Primary and Killyleagh integrated.

Those behind the drive for the new Mid Down College say its development will ensure these particular schools and Loughview, Forge and Millennium integrated primaries will be able to carry on their education in integrated schools, alongside children who will be able to benefit from integrated education in their secondary level education who had not previously attended an integrated school.