Nick Hambly, principal of Lisnaskea High School
“THE CHILDREN were spoken to on Friday morning, and there were a lot of tears,” said the principal of Lisnaskea High School this week, following the announcement that the school was to close and a merger to take place with Devenish College.
Nick Hambly, who has been principal of the school for around 18 months, spoke candidly in that, despite the loss of a school that has been a centrepiece of its community for over 50 years, it was an inevitable decision.
“Change is coming and I think you’ll find that all schools are undergoing some form of change. For us it was more immediate simply because of the fall in roll, the financial pressures and the statutory requirements of the Entitlement Framework.
“The Minister’s announcement a few weeks ago has allowed that to gather even more pace. The statement is clear really, you amalgamate or close,” he added.
Mr Hambly also acknowledged that while financially unsustainable, the school, he felt, was also having increasing difficulty in delivering a wide and varied curriculum.
“There are lots of things that are wonderful about having a small school but ultimately the lack of resources becomes a real problem for young people. There are inevitably children entering Key Stage Four who can’t take the choices that they want and we simply can’t offer the variety we would like.
“We were faced with the very real possibility that we might just close and have no control over where the children go or where the staff go, or we could look for a merger and therefore be actively involved what that new vision looks like, and how it could still encapsulate the ethos and the strengths of this school along with those of Devenish. It was the only option for us and it’s the best option for us.”
That final discussion took place at a meeting on Tuesday of last week.
“The atmosphere in that room was one of sadness and regret, but one of realistic acceptance that change was coming. The governors decided that they’d sooner take control of that change than have it thrust upon them.”
The school currently holds 111 pupils, with 12 full-time equivalent staff. Mr Hambly noted that the staff will be ‘protected’. A new school has also been promised as a result of the merger. In the meantime, the current Devenish College School will cater for students and staff.
“There is a new school promised with this merger, and that new school does allow all of the children access to improved resources and a fair shot at their education.”
Mr Hambly spoke of the importance of the school within its locality.
“For over 50 years this school has provided an alternative to grammar school education. It is a community school, it reflects and has catered for this part of Fermanagh with great success.”
However, he noted: “The importance of the school as a building can’t overrule the importance of the future of the children, their education and their life chances.”
Having spoken to the pupils early on Friday morning, Mr Hambly was not surprised with the tearful response he received.
“My office door is always open, and lots of children came in wanting to know what was going on with their school. I’m delighted to see that they have such a connection with the place that they want to defend it. That’s a good thing.”
He concluded: “They have to be resilient, they have to be optimistic, they have to be creative and they have to be independent. They have to meet change head on with energy. It’s our time to respond to change positively and shape our future together.”
To read more.. Subscribe to current edition
Receive quality journalism wherever you are, on any device. Keep up to date from the comfort of your own home with a digital subscription.
Any time | Any place | Anywhere