AQW 12220/22-27

Ms Connie Egan
Alliance Party
North Down

Tabled Date: 20/05/2024
Answered On Date: 04/06/2024
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister of Education (i) whether the decision to reject the proposal to close Queen Elizabeth II Primary School, Kilskeery, was consistent with his Department's decision to close St Anne’s Primary School, Donaghadee; and (ii) to detail the rationale for the decisions in relation to both schools.

Answer:

On 13 May 2024 I took the decision not to approve Development Proposal (DP) 720 - Queen Elizabeth II Primary School will discontinue with effect from 31 August 2024, or as soon as possible thereafter.

The reason for my decision (which is accessible on the Department’s website at the following link: Minister's Decision.pdf (education-ni.gov.uk)) is:

“Having carefully considered all of the evidence and analysis with regards to this proposal against the Sustainable Schools Policy and also carefully considered those comments received during the statutory objection period, I have decided not to approve the proposal for closure. I would of course expect the Board of Governors to monitor the school closely against SSP criteria and ongoing support to be provided by the EA as managing authority”.

The decision in relation to DP 673 (closure of St Anne’s Primary School, Donaghadee) was taken by the Permanent Secretary of the Department of Education and is accessible at this link: Department’s website