AQW 6993/22-27

Ms Connie Egan
Alliance Party
North Down

Tabled Date: 20/02/2024
Answered On Date: 27/02/2024
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister of Education whether he will reverse his Department's decision to close St. Anne’s Primary School, Donaghadee.

Answer:

St Anne’s Primary School closed with effect from 31 October 2023, and I do not intend to reverse the decision.

I understand that the Member will be aware that the decisions to approve closure and not to approve the transformation of the school to controlled integrated status were the subject of legal challenge.

Leave for Judicial Review was refused. In his rationale for refusing leave, the presiding judge concluded that there were no arguable grounds to the challenge which had a realistic prospect of success.

I and my Department will continue to encourage, facilitate and support the development of integrated education.