Three Ballymena Special Schools to amalgamate

The government has today revealed that three Special Schools in the Ballymena area are to amalgamate.

The schools - Beechgrove Special School, Dunfane Special School and Loughan Special School will amalgamate on the former site of Ballymena Boys' and Girls' Schools on completion of a new building.

While the new amalgamated school will have a single management structure it has been agreed that each special educational need will continue to be supported through separate specialist provision as operates under current arrangements.

Commenting on the decision, Education Minister, Maria Eagle said she had carefully considered all the comments and representations made to her on the proposal.

She said: "I am pleased to approve this proposal which provides an opportunity for increased collaborative practice between the three schools, enhancing the existing educational support and allowing pupils of each school easier access to the personnel and facilities currently offered by the other schools.

"I wish all those associated with the new school every good wish for the future."

Beechgrove Special School currently caters for children with physical difficulties from pre-school to year 7, when all pupils transfer either to mainstream schools or to another special school for their post primary education.

It is situated on a campus shared with Dunfane Special School, on the eastern outskirts of Ballymena. Dunfane Special School, caters for children with moderate learning difficulties in Key Stages 1 - 4 - from compulsory school age up to age 16 years.

Loughan Special School caters for children with severe learning difficulties in Key Stages 1 - 4, from nursery to age 16 years.

All three schools were described as having accommodation deficiencies.

(EF/SP)