MP urges more backing for shared unit

The Education Minister John O’Dowd, has already this year selected three sets of schools for new shared campuses.

However, Mr Kinahan now wants him to look at a new shared unit for Crumlin.

“In the last year we have seen an astonishing surge in exam passes, we have seen the school being rated as ‘Good’ up from ‘Satisfactory’ in the inspection process and we have seen some 80 families sign ‘Expressions of Interest’ in the school,” said Mr Kinahan.

“We have witnessed the school go from strength to strength. These achievements have been staggering and such success is down to hard work of the pupils, teachers, governors and the local community, all of whom deserve the highest of praise.

“A year ago it seemed inevitable the school was going to close but now we have the prospect and future of a post primary school in the town virtually guaranteed.

“I now call on the Education Committee of the NEELB to recognise all these successes and make the last necessary decision and declare when the new school will come into being and exactly what form of shared schooling it will take. “Everyone can then build on this decision and we can all then watch the school continue to into the future.”

He also clarified a number of successes at the school recently which have included a follow up inspection in March 2014 indicated that the school had been upgraded from ‘Satisfactory’ to ‘Good’.”

Up to 80 Expression of Interest forms have been received to date at the new school.

Mmembers of the CSSE group will be distributing Expression of Interest”forms in the local community. At the Crumlin Festival Open Day on Saturday August 16 45 expression of Interest forms were collected.

At the school there have been GCSE results 2014 67% 5A*-C above the NI average for non grammar schools - 2013 61% and 2012 which is 38%

After four years of hard work and dedication from the entire school community the school exited the Formal Intervention Process at the beginning of July.

The school is open to the community four nights per week with cross community clubs using the school.