By Ryan Sands
BURRENREAGH’S St Patrick’s Primary School could close its doors for good at the end of this academic year.
Last Wednesday (8 April), a Council for Catholic Maintained Schools’ (CCMS) proposal to discontinue the rural school outside Castlewellan ‘with effect from 31 August 2026 or as soon as possible thereafter’ was published online by the Education Authority (EA).
A Case for Change document notes that, on 28 January, the CCMS Education Provision Committee ‘considered the sustainability position of St Patrick’s PS, including its current enrolment of 11 pupils for 2025/26 and the absence of evidence of future recovery’, and ‘agreed that the previously proposed implementation date of 31 August 2027 should be brought forward to 31 August 2026 to reflect the urgency of the sustainability challenges and to protect the educational interests of pupils’.
It also states that the CCMS ‘led a series of structured engagements to assess the sustainability of provision and explore potential options’, with initial discussions ‘focused on analysing enrolment trends, demographic projections and school capacity data across the area’.
Further engagement ‘took place with sectoral partners, including the EA, the Northern Ireland Council for Integrated Education and Comhairle na Gaelscolaíochta, to explore cross-sectoral models and potential area solutions’.
‘Despite thorough consideration, no sustainable options were identified that would adequately address the significant challenges facing St Patrick’s PS, Burrenreagh, particularly in relation to enrolment trends, financial viability and the quality of educational experience,’ the document adds.
Figures contained within the Case for Change illustrate that enrolment in St Patrick’s fell from 65 in 2015/16 to 11 in 2025/26, with numbers peaking at 70 in 2018/19. Within this year’s enrolment, there are no pupils in Reception, Year 2 or Year 6.
It is highlighted that the school’s approved enrolment number is 95 and its approved admissions number is 14.
‘There is no indication the enrolment in St Patrick’s PS will increase to reach the recommended minimum threshold of 105 pupils detailed in the Department of Education’s “Schools for the Future: A Policy for Sustainable Schools 2009 (SSP)”,’ the document states.
On the proposed discontinuance, the Case for Change says that ‘there is no evidence at this point of any other option that would be a more appropriate area planning solution for provision in the area’.
‘CCMS recognises the commitment of the governors and staff, but current circumstances would not provide for a sustainable school,’ it reads.
‘It is recognised that, despite the school’s best efforts, it continues to face sustainability challenges.
‘This option increases the sustainability of other schools and helps to maintain provision for this rural area.
‘It also increases access to sustainable provision, with transport assistance for those eligible.
‘CCMS considers the proposal to discontinue provision at St Patrick’s PS would not impact significantly on other schools.
‘Given the capacity in the area, any displacement of pupils can be managed within existing provision, based on current parental/guardian preference.’
In the full article further details of the proposal are explained including implementation plans, and an update on those who are opposed.
