The decision was taken by Education Minister, Caitríona Ruane, following a proposal by the Belfast Education and Library Board on behalf of the Council for Catholic Maintained Schools acting on behalf of the Trustees of the Diocese of Down and Connor.
The Minister said: “St Gabriel’s College has provided an important service to the community of North Belfast but in recent years there has been a fall in numbers attending. Unfortunately the College is no longer sustainable and I must consider the best interests of the pupils currently enrolled. Closing a school is never an easy decision to take but the needs of the pupils cannot be met in a school in decline.
“I recognise and pay tribute to the hard work undertaken by the Principal and the staff of St Gabriel’s who have given much to their pupils.”
The Minister said that the Council for Catholic Maintained Schools will ensure that the pupils remaining in the school at the end of the academic year will be placed in alternative schools where they can continue their education and enjoy the breadth of opportunity and choice they deserve.
Notes to Editors:
St Gabriel’s College is a maintained post-primary school.
The Belfast Education and Library Board (BELB) published Development Proposal No 182 on 12 April 2007 to the effect that St Gabriel’s College should close with effect from 31 August 2008 or as soon as possible thereafter.
The current enrolment is 94, 40 of whom are in years 12 and 13 and would be due to leave St Gabriel’s at the end of the present school year.
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