At a meeting of the Council’s policy and resource committee in mid June, Cllr Alex Baird posed an open-ended question in regard to the curriculum provision for pupils at St Mary’s.

He had asked if there was equality of opportunity for the children at Brollagh compared to other schools in regard to access to a wide range of subjects.

Responding this week the Parents Action Group said, “St Mary’s is one of the most consistent and best performing GCSE schools in Fermanagh and NI. Every pupil that leaves St Mary’s at Year 12 follows their chosen pathway to achieve their ultimate goal. We are an all-ability school that caters for the academic and vocational student and our GCSE performance is there on record for all to see.”

The statement outlined that 21 subjects should be offered at Key Stage 4, or for GCSE. 

The spokesman added that the Action Group are campaigning to retain post-primary education in west Fermanagh which they describe as “one of the most socially deprived areas”. 

The group also noted disappointment that the UUP had abstained from voting at a recent council meeting in support of the campaign. At the Council’s committee meeting, after lengthy discussion a motion to lodge a response to the proposal was passed, with 23 votes for, 0 against and 10 abstentions. 

Concluding the group’s spokesman said, “We will continue our campaign and hope that someday in the very near future all political parties will rally behind us and support our cause.”

In the past few weeks public drop in sessions have been held at in west Fermanagh, inviting those wishing to lodge letters of objection to come along and make their voices heard. 

At the end of this month the consultation window will close with the powers that be moving to consider responses before reaching a decision on the future of the secondary school. 

A video posted to social media urges members of the public to say ‘no’ to the closure and support education in the local community. It outlines that if St Mary’s was to close “it is 25 miles to our nearest school”, it also warns, “if they close our school they close our community”.