PARENTS of post-primary school pupils in Fermanagh have been invited to a public meeting next month to start the “consultation process” over the future of education in the county.
As reported by the ‘Herald today (Wednesday), it’s understood discussions have been ongoing over the future of St Michael’s College and St Joseph’s College and a proposed school merger.
Speculation is also mounting over a proposed merger between Mount Lourdes Grammar School and St Fanchea’s College.
The ‘Herald has now seen a message sent to some parents today outlining the next steps in the process.
“On behalf of the Trustees of Mount Lourdes Grammar School and St Michael’s College and CCMS, the managing authority for St Fanchea’s College and St Joseph’s College, I would like to invite you to a meeting at 7pm on Thursday 1 May 2025,” the message read.
“The meeting will take place in the Main Assembly Hall in Mount Lourdes. The purpose of this meeting is to present to parents / guardians the proposal for Post-Primary Education in Enniskillen that is being made by the School Trustees and CCMS. This meeting marks the start of a consultation process in which you will be able to participate.”
Collectively providing education to almost 1300 pupils, the rumoured merger would mean that the two schools, which have a long history in Fermanagh, will no longer be academically selected.
This is not the first time that a merger between the Catholic maintained schools have been raised.
In 2018, the county’s residents were left up in arms when representatives from the Council for Catholic Maintained Schools held meetings in the county over a potential amalgamation.
The proposal also discussed the possibility of a merger between Enniskillen schools, St Fanchea’s College and Mount Lourdes Grammar School, with students at St Fanchea’s moving to an expanded Mount Lourdes site.
Due to a lack of clarity on the terms and conditions of the merger and significant opposition from the community and teaching staff, the decision was taken to not proceed with the amalgamation.
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