Integrated school plan for Killyleagh

Integrated school plan for Killyleagh

8 February 2023

A PUBLIC meeting to discuss support for a new integrated post-primary school in the area takes place in Killyleagh next week.

Those behind the development proposal for a new 600-pupil Mid Down College say it will 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.

Members of a steering group spearheading the drive for the ultra-modern new school will be at the Bridge Community Centre in Killyleagh next Wednesday evening at 7.30pm.

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.

The Mid Down College steering group is delighted with the support its proposal has from hundreds of parents and said it highlights and reinforces the need and demand for the new school in the Mid Down area.

Former world boxing champion Carl Frampton, an ambassador for the Northern Ireland Council for Integrated Education, is backing the new school proposal.

He says he is a “strong supporter” of integrated education in Northern Ireland and believes that children from all backgrounds and religions should have the opportunity to learn together from a young age and was pleased to support the proposal for the new Mid Down Integrated College.

Alliance is backing the proposal and says there is demand in the Mid Down area for such a school.

It says integrated schools in the area are already heavily oversubscribed and there is no local provision for post-primary children to satisfy this demand. 

Alliance 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.

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

Strangford MLA Nick Mathison is supporting the proposal and says the expressions of Interest from over 800 parents and 200 members of the community “demonstrates that there is a clear appetite for this concept”.

He continued: “The Mid Down area is lucky enough to have a number of fantastic integrated primary schools, including Cedar, Drumlins and Killyleagh primaries.

“With the development of a Mid Down Integrated College, pupils from these schools, alongside possible pupils from 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.”

He continued: “The development of integrated schools has also supported the growing acceptance that through learning and playing together with children from all religious, cultural and social backgrounds, educational experiences can be enhanced. 

“I am committed to building a shared and integrated society across Northern Ireland and the creation of Mid Down Integrated College would be such a positive step in the right direction, addressing the demand for integrated education in this area.”

Mr Mathison said while the exact location of the proposed new college campus is still to be determined, it is expected to be located along the Belfast to Downpatrick road around the area of Saintfield and Crossgar

Mr Mathison added: “I am delighted to pledge my support for the Mid Down Integrated College Steering Group as they progress with their application to the Department for the creation of a new Integrated College and would urge everyone to show their support for this much needed new school.”