The contract for the Down and Connor project will provide St Mary’s Primary School, Portglenone, St Joseph’s Primary School, Carryduff, Our Lady and St Patrick’s College, Knock and St Patrick’s Grammar School, Downpatrick with new purpose-built accommodation for a total of 2,565 pupils. The contract also provides building maintenance and facilities management for the next 25 years.
The Minister said: “I welcome this important step in signing the contract for these four schools to enable construction to commence immediately. Each school can now look forward to new purpose-built accommodation with state-of-the-art equipment opening in 2010 and 2011. This £45.5million capital project is also more good news for the local construction industry.
“This project opens a new chapter in the education of children in the Belfast, Carryduff, Downpatrick and Portglenone areas. We are in a new era in education as I am working to implement a range of progressive reforms and it is appropriate these are delivered in first class schools accommodation.
“I would like to thank the Trustees and staff of all four schools for the hard work they have put in to reach this milestone. The new facilities will provide the pupils attending these schools with a rewarding educational experience and I look forward to visiting them when they are complete.”
Notes to Editors:
1. St Mary’s Primary School, Portglenone is a co-educational maintained primary school with a projected long-term enrolment of 205 and has a nursery unit providing 27 part-time places.
2. St Joseph’s Primary School, Carryduff is a co-educational maintained primary school with a projected long-term enrolment of 435 and has a nursery unit providing 52 part-time places.
3. Our Lady and St Patrick’s College, Knock is a Diocesan co-educational Voluntary Grammar School with a projected long-term enrolment of 1,260 for the 11–18 year age group.
4. St Patrick’s Grammar School, Downpatrick is a De La Salle school for 11–18 year age group and shares its site with De La Salle High School.
5. The capital cost for the four new schools, which will be delivered through a Public Private Partnership contract, is £45.5million.
6. Photographs taken at the contract signing can be obtained from Parkway Photography (Tel: 028 90659808).
7. Media queries to the Department of Education Press Office on 028 9127 9755. Out of office hours please contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.
