Lisnaskea High School
MEMBERS from the Interim Board of Governors (IBOG) gathered on Monday evening for the first time to discuss the future of the newly amalgamated Devenish College and Lisnaskea High School.
A number of issues surrounding the closure of the Lisnaskea secondary school were laid out before the Western Education and Library Board officers, including transport, staffing arrangements and financial issues.
It was also confirmed that the amalgamated school will be fully operational from Monday, September 2, at the Devenish College site as a temporary measure before the school is moved to a new site.
Last June, Education Minister John O’Dowd confirmed plans that he was to shut Lisnaskea High School with immediate effect. His decision caused outrage among parents, staff and pupils.
The widespread concern followed the late announcement, with parents accusing the Education Board of disrupting pupil’s studies and forcing some children to travel longer journeys.
It is not clear how many pupils from Lisnaskea High School will move to Devenish College as many parents appeared to be reluctant to send their children there.
Following Monday night’s IBOG meeting, the Education Board issued a statement stressing the importance of parents of pupils from Lisnaskea High School who want to attend Devenish to inform the school as soon as possible.
It also emerged that the Lisnaskea Youth Club will continue to operate from the Lisnaskea High School site.
The newly amalgamated school will cater for more than 600 pupils from the ages of 11 to 18.
Cecil Morton, the vice chairman of the IBOG, encouraged parents of pupils to register soon.
Where parents wish to send their child/children to other schools, they should complete an AP1 Form which is available on the Board’s website welbni.org/uploads/File/AP1_Form.pdf and forward to the relevant school as soon as possible to ensure placement before September 2013.
It is also important that parents inform the Board’s ‘Home to School’ Transport Office by Wednesday next, 14th August. Contact 028 6634 3900 for an official Transport application form.
Mr Morton commented: “This is an innovative and exciting time for controlled post primary education in Fermanagh.
“This amalgamation facilitates taking forward the WELB’s vision for meeting the future needs of pupils in the Controlled Post Primary Sector in Fermanagh so that every young person achieves their potential at each stage of development.”
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