REASSURING…Bishop Leo O’Reilly
Following publication of draft proposals for post primary education for south and east Fermanagh, Bishop of Kilmore, Dr Leo O’Reilly has moved swiftly to reassure parents, staff and the community in the St Aidan’s catchment area about the long-term future of the school in Derrylin.
Bishop O’Reilly said: “St Aidan’s is an excellent school with over 40 years of serving the community through strong academic achievement, pastoral care for all students and support for those with special needs.
“I want to reassure all associated with St Aidan’s that as Bishop and Trustee that my preferred option is to see the continuation of 11 – 16 post primary education at the Derrylin site.”
The Bishop went on to say:
“The school is an outstanding educational and community facility at the heart of local life. Working with the CCMS and St Aidan’s Board of Governors, staff, parents and the Community Action Group, I will take all steps possible within my powers to maximize long-term educational provision up to age 16 including Key Stage 4. I believe that, working collaboratively with our partner schools, both primary and post-primary, we can provide a model of post-primary provision in Derrylin that meets the aspirations of pupils, parents and staff and meets the requirements of Department of Education and Ministerial policies
“I encourage all parents and the whole community to continue to support St Aidan’s in the strongest possible way, particularly by continuing to send their children to the school in the years ahead. St Aidan’s has so much to offer the local community in the future and I will do everything I can to ensure that the correct structure is put in place to achieve that outcome.”
The Deputy Chief Executive of CCMS, Gerry Lundy stated that CCMS has begun a consultation process on a potential model for the future provision.
“This model seeks to develop a collaborative model of educational provision within Lisnaskea and Derrylin that will provide a high quality, viable and sustainable 11 – 19 education for all the pupils currently served by the three existing post-primary schools. The current proposed model is the starting point for consultation and CCMS is fully open to, and welcomes, engagement with the schools’ communities on both this model and other alternative models. I would stress that this is the start of a consultation process and that no decision has been made as to the future model of provision,” he added.
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