Building trade boosted by £1m Acorn project

Pupils Mya Brannagh and Nicola Leacock with Education Minister John ODowd who visited Acorn Integrated Primary School to see the £1million refurbishment project which is now underway, included are Stephen and Michael McConville, Newmac Contracts. INCT 22-705-CON ACORN

That was the view of Education Minister John O’Dowd as work commenced on the scheme at Acorn Integrated Primary School.

The three-classroom extension will replace temporary accommodation with a permanent building structure. In addition, a hard play area is being provided at the school which has an enrolment of 201 pupils plus 26 children in the nursery unit.

Speaking during a visit to the Victoria Road site, Mr O’Dowd said: “This is an exciting time for pupils and staff at Acorn Integrated Primary School.

“The new facilities will enhance the learning environment and ensure that the school is well equipped to deliver the curriculum well into the future.

“Projects like this one have been made possible through the School Enhancement Programme, which not only benefits the classroom, but provides a boost to the local construction industry.”

The contract has been awarded to Newmac Contracts, Portadown.

Principal Clodagh Webb said: “We very much welcome the visit by the Minister to Acorn Integrated Primary School and are grateful for the investment made, in times of significant financial challenge, through the School Enhancement Project.

“The new extension, which will provide significant additional classrooms and facilities, will clearly enhance the educational experience of all the children who attend Acorn now and in the future.”

It is a further fillip for the town’s integrated sector and follows confirmation that Ulidia College has been given the go ahead to increase its enrolment number.

Welcoming these developments, East Antrim Alliance MLA Stewart Dickson said: “The quality education provided at Ulidia is confirmed by the numbers of parents seeking to access to the school for their children. I hope this announcement will mean that many more parents can achieve their first choice secondary school for their children.

”It is also splendid news that Acorn Primary Integrated School is at last able to dispose of its prefabricated temporary buildings and replace them with three new classrooms. The classrooms will be complemented by a new hard-standing play area which will enhance the entire offering to pupils at the school.

“I will continue to press the Department of Education to ensure that the necessary funding and ongoing support that Ulidia, Acorn and the integrated sector in general requires.”