New Mid Down college could open next year

New Mid Down college could open next year

25 October 2023

THE proposed new Mid Down Integrated College could open as early as next September.

The Department of Education has formally approved the new 600-pupil school.

The school will replace  Blackwater Integrated College in Downpatrick.

It’s expected that Northern Ireland’s first integrated post-primary to be built in two decades will be located between Crossgar and Saintfield.

Those behind the drive for the new school 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.

A submission for the new integrated school from a parental steering was formally approved by the Department for Education Permanent Secretary Dr Mark Browne on Monday. 

The proposal has also been backed by hundreds of parents, integrated primary schools across the district – and boxer boxer Carl Frampton, who is a supporter of integrated education. 

The new school proposal was submitted two years ago with this week’s formal approval coming after detailed public consultation.

Tim Jackson and Frances Lowry, co-chairs of the Mid Down Integrated College Steering Group,  are delighted the new school has been given the green light.

Describing it as “incredibly exciting news”, they say the can’t state how delighted they are with the decision to grow integrated education in the Mid Down area. 

“Many, many people have supported us with their time, expertise and good will to get the proposal to this stage and we are truly grateful. There is much to do but we are thrilled to be such a significant step forward on this important journey,” they added.

Blackwater College principal Stephen Taylor said governors, staff and students welcomed the approval of a new school.

He thanked members of the Mid Down Integrated Steering Group, the Northern Ireland Council for Integrated Education and the Integrated Education Fund for “working tirelessly” over the past four years to bring forward this proposal. 

“Due to the limitations of our current site, Blackwater Integrated College can’t expand as we need to and the new school provides a much-needed solution for this as well as meeting the needs of families new to integrated education,” Mr Taylor explained.

“We are excited about the future and the massive benefits the new school will provide children of all abilities and backgrounds in the local and surrounding areas, including increased integrated provision and a new provision for post-16 learning.” 

Mr Taylor said Blackwater Integrated College is committed to working with the Department of Education to bring the proposal to reality.

And he said staff, parents and students look forward to the opportunity to become an integral part of the establishment of the new college.

“There will be no disruption to our pupils’ education as we move forward with the process and we will work closely with parents to keep them informed of all plans and decisions throughout each stage,” Mr Taylor confirmed.

“It is an exciting time for Blackwater Integrated College and we look forward to opening the new school in September 2024 or as soon as possible thereafter,”

Roisin Marshall, chief executive of the Northern Ireland Council for Integrated Education, said approval for the new Mid Down College will ensure that some of the unmet demand in the area is addressed and an integrated pathway from pre-school to primary and on to an 11-18 post-primary college will now be a real option for parents.

Integrated Education Fund chief executiveTina Merron said the organisation was “absolutely delighted” that all the hard work of Mid Down Integrated College Steering Group had finally paid off.

“We look forward to supporting the Group in establishing the new Integrated College,” she added