St.Comhghall’s college Lisnaskea will remain open for the forseeable future
THE FUTURE OF both St Aidan’s High School, Derrylin and St Comhghall’s College Lisnaskea is secure, for now at least.
The Council for Catholic Maintained Schools (CCMS) has confirmed it is currently discussing two models for education in South and East Fermanagh, both of which confirm the retention of the two sites for the foreseeable future.
The future, however, is not so bright for St Eugene’s College Roslea, which will face closure if either model is implemented. It would follow Lisnaskea High School which recently closed its doors.
The first model being discussed by CCMS is a two site school model arrangement involving St Aidan’s and St Comhghall’s. The other option involves the creation of a new amalgamated school site encompassing the three schools. This model would initially be located on split sites before phasing into a brand new school. A possible site though has not yet been identified nor any time scale given.
“We are working on both models, but no decision has been made over which model will go out to consultation,”according to Deputy Chief Executive of CCMS Gerry Lundy.
He did not rule out either model moving towards consultation. “We are fully open to exploring both models objectively and transparently and that work is underway,” he added.
Any decision that is made through consultation regarding one of the education models will still have to get final approval from the Minister of Education John O’Dowd, but those at St Aidan’s are confident that the final decision will ensure the survival of their school.
According to school principal Martin McBrien the future of the school has already been secured.
In a statement carried in all local Church bulletins last week he said:
“The reorganisation of Post-Primary education in South and East Fermanagh is now predicated entirely on the retention of the two sites, Derrylin and Lisnaskea, thereby assuring the future of St Aidan’s and work will be starting in September to progress the most appropriate model of delivery.”
Commenting further on the apparent development, the Vice-Chairperson of the St Aidan’s Community Action Group; Brian McTeggart added:
“We are now confident and also delighted that the core objective of our campaign has achieved the desired result – permanent retention of 11- 16 post primary education at St Aidan’s in Derrylin. We look forward to working closely with the CCMS, the WELB and the Department of Education to finish the job of ensuring there will be no diminution of the quality and delivery of Post Primary education at our school as we move into the next phase of the process. In fact we will be working very hard to ensure that services and facilities delivered through the school will be enhanced under the new arrangement.”
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