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ONE of the key individuals overseeing the delivery of the Strule Shared Education Campus has highlighted the transformative opportunities it will bring for collaboration between students when it opens in Omagh on September 1, 2028.
Majella Corrigan, Go-Live Manager for the £370 million project, was speaking at a Parents and Carers Information Session – the first in a series of events planned over the next two years as the campus takes shape.
The steel framework of the main school buildings is now clearly visible, with the next phase set to focus on installing key systems such as heating and lighting once structural work is complete. It is anticipated that construction will finish towards the end of next year, allowing time for the internal fit-out and detailed planning ahead of the move by almost 4,000 students.
“There will be nine buildings on the new campus,” Ms Corrigan explained. “These include the six school buildings, the Shared Education Centre, the shared sports facilities and the sports pavilion.
“It is important that each school retains its individual identity. Pupils will move to the new campus as part of their existing school family. While each school will maintain its ethos, identity and uniform, they will work together to build a strong collaborative educational offer.”
Omagh High School will be a two-storey building, Omagh Academy is being constructed on a split level, while Loreto Grammar School, Omagh CBS and Sacred Heart College will also be two-storey buildings. Due to the layout of the former Lisanelly Army Barracks site, all six schools will sit at the same overall height.
The campus will be fully pedestrianised, with a perimeter access road for emergency vehicles, deliveries and those with mobility needs.
Parking will be available for staff and parents, alongside dedicated bus facilities. Pupils will be transported directly to and from the campus, rather than travelling via the Translink Omagh Bus Depot as is currently the case.
“When the new campus opens, pupils will be brought directly there,” Ms Corrigan added.
“The Shared Hub will act as the front door of the campus. This represents a different model, as parents will no longer drop children directly at individual schools.
“Our shared education model is more ambitious than anywhere else. We are fortunate to have excellent schools in Omagh, and the new campus will harness the collective expertise of each to provide the widest possible curricular offer.
“If five or six pupils from each school wish to study a particular subject, there should be sufficient numbers to make that viable.”
The campus will continue to operate as part of the wider Omagh Learning Community, working alongside South West College, St John’s College in Dromore and Dean Maguirc College in Carrickmore.
Plans are also in place to make facilities available to the public during evenings, weekends and school holidays.
Local voluntary, sporting and community organisations are being encouraged to explore opportunities to use the new shared facilities.
