BREAKING NEWS: SIXTH FORM PROVISION GRANTED FOR DROMORE HIGH SCHOOL

The next academic year at Dromore High will now be spent preparing for its first post-16 cohort in September 2011.

The minister's approval of the Development Proposal to allow for post-16 provision at Dromore High paves the way for a new sixth form, offering A-level courses, to be taught in the school, and other post-16 courses, taught in conjunction with the Southern Regional College.

"I am confident," she said, "this new provision will be well supported by pupils and parents alike and I wish everyone involved well for the future."

For a delighted Dromore High principal, Mr. John Wilkinson, the news is the pay-off for many years of campaigning; the decision, he said, would bring "wrap-round education" to the Dromore and District Community

"I have always argued that Dromore High School can support post-16 courses," he said. "With over 90 students proceeding to do 'A' levels and BTec courses, the school's intention is to offer courses which are both academic and vocational.

"These courses will be carefully designed by professional staff to a standard that will enable all young people attending this school to proceed to university, college or other centres of excellence.

"As a specialist school, recognised by the Department of Education, Dromore High School is acknowledged to be a high performing 11-16 school; this has been verified by recent inspection reports and by the percentage of young people leaving this school to go on to other education centres.

"With this development young people can elect to attend Dromore High School and be assured of an education to the age of 19.

"The next academic year will be spent preparing for our first post-16 cohort in September 2011. I know that we will continue to serve our pupils needs and prepare them for university, college, business and the world of work."

On behalf of governors, staff and students Mr. Wilkinson thanked everyone who had supported the school in its campaign, including local politicians and in particular Stormont Environment minister and Lagan valley MLA Edwin Poots, a past parent, who had been on board every step of the way, he said.

"To win the argument we relied too upon the good counsel of the SELB officers," he added, "including the past and present chief executives Mrs. Helen McClenaghan, Mr. Tony Murphy and Mr. Gregory Butler."

With community support, he said, the new sixth form provision could be an enormous success and an example to the rest of Northern Ireland of what he called real wrap-round community education provision.

Lagan Valley MP Jeffrey Donaldson, another leading campaigner on the issue, was among the first to welcome the minister's announcement.

"The school has long campaigned for sixth form provision for Dromore," he said, "and we have had a number of meetings with the education minister and the senior officials in recent weeks to secure the department'ss agreement to this proposal.

"It is also great news for the community in Dromore because it now means many young people who have had to study for A levels in places like Banbridge and Lisburn and Belfast, will now be able to remain in their local school right through uintil they go to university or enter employment.

"I would like to congratulate John Wilkinson and his board of governors and the staff at the High School who have worked so hard to secure a sixth form centre for the local community."