By Ryan Sands
A MOURNES councillor has urged the Council for Catholic Maintained Schools (CCMS) to review a proposal to close Burrenreagh’s St Patrick’s Primary School later this year.
Voicing her support for maintaining the rural school, Laura Devlin (SDLP) described it as “a valued part of the local community with a proud tradition of educating generations of local children” and “an important pillar of rural life and a source of identity for families in the area”.
Earlier this month, a CCMS proposal to discontinue the school outside Castlewellan ‘with effect from 31 August 2026 or as soon as possible thereafter’ was published online by the Education Authority.
A Case for Change document highlighted that, at a January meeting, 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’ – its approved enrolment number is 95 – 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’.
In a statement, Cllr Devlin said that “St Patrick’s PS is a school that local people are deeply proud of”.
“It has a long and respected history of providing education for children in a rural setting, where pupils are known, supported and encouraged to thrive,” she continued.
“For many families, schools like St Patrick’s are at the heart of their community.
“They help sustain local services, strengthen social connections and give rural families confidence that they can continue to live and raise children in the area.
“It is important that the value of rural schools is fully recognised.
“Education provision cannot be looked at through intake alone.
“Flexibility is needed to meet the needs of families and communities, particularly in rural areas where access, travel and community sustainability are all major factors.”
The local representative confirmed that she would be writing to the CCMS to “seek a review of the proposal”.
“I will be contacting CCMS to ask that they carefully review this decision and ensure that any outcome truly reflects the best possible provision of education for children,” she concluded.
“That must be the paramount consideration in any process.
“Parents, pupils and the wider community deserve to have their voices heard.
“St Patrick’s has served this area with distinction for many years, and its future should be considered with the care and seriousness it deserves.”
