Education Minister John O’Dowd has approved a new post-primary school in Enniskillen
Education Minister, John O’Dowd, has approved development proposals to close Devenish College and Lisnaskea High School and form a new amalgamated post-primary school in Enniskillen.
Commenting on the decision, Mr O’Dowd said: “I have considered very carefully all aspects of these proposals and have decided to approve the amalgamation of the two schools.
“In making my decision I was mindful that there has been a significant level of opposition to the closure of Lisnaskea High School. I appreciate that the school has support from the community which it has served for over 50 years and that its closure will be a disappointment to those who have been closely associated with the school during this time.
“However, I must consider the long-term interests of not only the pupils currently attending the schools, but also those of local children in the area who have yet to move to post-primary education. With strong evidence that Lisnaskea High School is no longer sustainable, I cannot allow the standard of education there to gradually diminish over time. In order for children in the area to have the best possible opportunities and choices available to them, I see no alternative but to amalgamate Lisnaskea High School with nearby Devenish College.
“During the consultation process I did meet with residents who sought an alternative to closure. Their proposal was based on a shared education model which, while commendable, was too late to reverse years of falling numbers at Lisnaskea High School.
“The Boards of Governors and Principals of both schools are supportive of this way forward. They recognise that a new school environment will lead to the available resources being better used and enable all pupils to have access to a broad and balanced curriculum and enhanced educational and social learning experiences.
“I appreciate that this decision brings with it the prospect of some upheaval for families within the local area but I would like to assure everyone involved that the local authorities will do all they can to make the transition to the new school a smooth one.
“I thank and pay tribute to everyone connected with the two schools for all their hard work and dedication over many years and wish them the very best for the future as they look to an exciting new chapter for education in Enniskillen and the surrounding area.”
Ulster Unionist Party MLA, Tom Elliott, has said that the formal announcement that Lisnaskea High School is set to close is “very sad news for the area”.
Mr Elliott said: “While the possibility of closure had been much discussed in recent months, many people living within Lisnaskea and the surrounding area had remained hopeful the school could be retained. Regrettably, today’s announcement from the Education Minister has killed this hope. It’s a very sad day for the many people who were educated at the school and had connections with it.
Those people who had mounted a positive and structured campaign for the retention of the school are to be commended, it is unfortunate that their hard work has not met with a positive result at this stage. This is not just the loss of a school but also leaves a huge hole in the community.
Following this formal announcement by the Minister, it is absolutely vital that work now commences on the promised, and long awaited, new Devenish College at the Tempo road site. I would urge Minister O’Dowd and his department to take action so that work can begin as soon as possible. Nobody – not the department and certainly not the community – wants this to keep running on and on. Today’s news highlights once more the clear need for a new facility. It’s time for the Minister to deliver.”
Meanwhile Kenny Donaldson, Director of Services at South East Fermanagh Foundation (who had publicly stated their support for the School’s retention) commented: “Many within the local community will be deeply saddened at hearing that Lisnaskea High School will close within a matter of days.”
“It is deeply regrettable that a model of Shared Education was not investigated more fully a number of years ago. A policy of ‘closing Lisnaskea High School by stealth’ has instead operated and ultimately that campaign has been successful.”
“We recognise and commend the efforts of the Community Action Group which was established to fight the School closure. Those who became involved in that valiant fight demonstrated their deep affection for the School and their local Community and the decision to press ahead with closure is certainly no reflection on their efforts.”
“The closure of the School is not only a blow for Education within the area but also a massive hole is left for the Community. The School buildings and grounds were the ‘hub’ for much good to be carried out aimed at building and strengthening the South Fermanagh community,” concluded Mr Donaldson.
A Tempo Road site in Enniskillen previously designated for a new build for Devenish College is under consideration for the location of the new post-primary school.
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