Minister turns down integrated status for Donaghadee High School

Education Minister, Caitríona Ruane, has turned down a Development Proposal for Donaghadee High School to acquire integrated status.

Explaining her decision Ms Ruane said: “I recognise the considerable amount of work undertaken by the school and the parents in bringing forward this proposal. I appreciate this news will be disappointing, but every Development Proposal for transformation to integrated status is carefully considered against a number of criteria, one of which is the capability of the school to achieve a community balance of 10% of the minority religion in the first year intake and 30% of the total enrolment in the longer term. It is not evident that the school could meet this for a successful transformation.”

Notes to Editors:

1. The South Eastern Education and Library Board (SEELB) published Development Proposal No 204 on 28 February 2008 for the acquisition of controlled integrated status for Donaghadee High School with effect from 1 September 2008 or as soon as possible thereafter.
2. Donaghadee High School is a co-educational controlled post-primary school with 213 pupils.
3. The SEELB published on 29 April 2008 a Development Proposal to allow for the closure of the school with effect from 1 September 2009.
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