Enrolment Numbers Increase At 21 NI Schools

Enrolment numbers at 21 primary and post-primary schools has been increased, Education Minister Paul Givan has announced.

The announcement has been made following a pilot programme developed to adjust admissions and enrolment numbers in schools whose actual enrolment has historically been in excess of their approved admissions numbers.

Speaking during a visit to Markethill High School, one of the schools to benefit as a result of the pilot programme, the Minister said: "I welcome the implementation of increases to enrolments at 21 schools across Northern Ireland as a result of today's announcement.

"This will be a significant benefit to these school communities, who can now plan their curriculum and resources knowing the numbers of children and young people being admitted to their schools annually and without regular recourse to temporary requests."

The Minister continued: "The pilot has been very important in responding promptly to local needs and is a key step in creating an accelerated and more dynamic approach to Area Planning."

All schools that participated in the pilot process, planning and managing authorities, trustees and sectoral support bodies, will be advised of the outcome of the pilot process.