St Aidan’s High School, Derrylin remains open
St Aidan’s Derrylin have no plans to close and are at the forefront of new technology after introducing their new interactive brochure to MLAs at Stormont .
A delegation from St Aidan’s brought MLAs and local MP Michelle Gildernew up to date on their plans for the school in the years ahead.
They also demonstrated their new brochure entitled ‘Choices for Children, Decisions for Parents’, informing and offering advice to Primary 7 children and their parents about the choices facing them for post primary education
Lauri McCusker, Director, Fermanagh Trust, also spoke to the politicians about the vital importance of small schools and rural schools, their important social and economic as well as educational role and the need for continuing support for them.
Ms Gildernew welcomed the work carried out to date by the St Aidan’s Action Group in working to retain post primary education in Derrylin and speaking at the launch of the brochure said:
“Small rural schools are often the centre of local communities and the campaign to date by the group in the Derrylin area to retain post-primary education at St Aidan’s has been very welcome.
“In order for a small school to survive, then it is vital that it receives adequate funding, so the retention of an additional budget for small schools in the future is very important and something I will continue to champion.”
Sean Rogers, SDLP Education spokesperson warmly welcomed the school’s presence at Stormont:
“I am very supportive of rural schools. St Aidan’s is a good example of a particularly successful rural school in every aspect of its educational attainment, pastoral care and delivery for those with special educational needs.
“I am delighted to see the school and local community planning for a secure future and looking positively ahead by embracing new technology, as it prepares to educate and prepare future generations for work and life ahead.”
Martin McBrien, Principal of St Aidan’s explained how rather than think about closing their doors the school is looking ahead to its next forty years:
“St, Aidan’s is at the heart of our local community. This is manifest by the tremendous support for our Action Group’s alternative proposal which charts a clear and definite way forward for St. Aidan’s as part of a new Federation of schools in South and East Fermanagh.
“While definitive decisions have yet to be announced, I am absolutely delighted that all the indications from the relevant authorities are that the Federation model is the one that is going to be accepted, so the future of St. Aidan’s on its Derrylin site is assured.”
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