Minister visits Cross and Passion College

Education Minister, Caitríona Ruane, has visited Cross and Passion College in Ballycastle, where she discussed a range of issues with pupils and staff.

The Minister listened to views on policy areas including the Entitlement Framework and heard about the experience of the school as part of the Coleraine Learning Community and as a Specialist School for Sport.

Speaking during the visit, the Minister said: “It is clear to me that this school is forward thinking and open to working with other schools nearby to offer a wide range of subjects for their pupils. Cross and Passion College has strong links with Ballycastle High School collaborating to deliver a range of 18 courses and also works with the FE Colleges in Coleraine and Ballymoney in the delivery of three courses.

“Cross and Passion has always demonstrated such a progressive ethos. When it was established following a merger in the 1970s, the school was one of the first in the north to become all-ability, enabling transfer from local primary schools on an equal basis without unnecessary testing.”

The Minister continued: “I was saddened to hear about the sudden death of recent former Cross and Passion pupil Feargal McCaughan, who had just begun a new phase of study at the University of Ulster. Feargal’s parents are closely linked to the school as governors and I offer my deepest sympathy to them as well as to everyone in the school and wider community at this difficult time.”

Notes to editors:

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