AQO 9434/11-16
Ms Claire Sugden
Independent
East Londonderry
Tabled Date: 07/01/2016
Answered On Date: 20/01/2016
Priority Written: No
Question:
To ask the Minister of Education, following his decision to amalgamate Coleraine High School and Coleraine Academical Institution, when Coleraine Grammar School will receive the capital funds needed to ensure the new amalgamated school is fit for purpose as a mixed gender school.
Answer:
I committed approximately £2.9m to the School Enhancement scheme for Coleraine Grammar which included £547k specifically for the refurbishment and reassignment of 44 toilets to meet the needs of a mixed gender school on the former Coleraine Academical Institution (CAI) site. These works were completed in November 2015 and have not only provided the necessary toilets for girls but have also provided disabled toilet facilities and improved the existing provision for boys and staff. In addition, I have funded capital minor works for the conversion of the weights room at the former CAI site to a girls changing room at a cost of over £27k, which was completed in September 2015. A further more substantial investment in changing facilities requested by the school cannot be considered until the on-going legal issues between Coleraine Grammar and the CAI Trust are resolved and Coleraine Grammar have secured long term access to the former CAI site. I have also provided funding of over £6k to ensure that the former Coleraine High School site is fit for purpose as a mixed gender school.
|