Minister admits ‘range of requests’ turned down for Strule campus

THE Minister of Education has admitted there were a ‘range of requests’ which could not be included in the construction of the new Strule campus in Omagh.

Paul Givan was responding to questions around discussions between his department and Omagh High School after the school’s representatives recently boycotted a sod-cutting ceremony for the £375m project.

The school’s principal Christos Gaitatzis claimed they had faced ‘a constant battle’ over proposals at the Strule Shared Education Campus and described the boycott as a ‘last resort’.

Mr Gaitatzis said the current plans for his school were ‘too small’.

When it opens in 2028, the Strule Shared Education campus will be home to six post-primary schools – Omagh High School, Arvalee Special School, Loreto Grammar School, Sacred Heart College, Omagh Academy and Christian Brothers Grammar School.

Speaking at the sod-cutting ceremony on May 21, Mr Givan described Omagh High School’s boycott as a ‘missed opportunity’ for the school.

The Education Minister has revealed more details about the dispute in response to questions at the Northern Ireland Assembly from SDLP West Tyrone MLA Daniel McCrossan.

Mr McCrossan asked the minister to detail any discussions between his department and Omagh High School regarding the design and contents of their school, and the grounds on which requests for adjustments by the school were turned down.

Mr Givan said the design consultation for the Strule campus had taken place for more than a decade.

“Initial design engagement with all six Strule schools occurred during RIBA Stage 3 (Developed Design) from November 2015 to 2017, with further detailed reviews of the Department’s Building Handbook and Building Regulations completed prior to the procurement of the now onsite contracting team,” said the Education Minister.

“While RIBA Stage 4 (Technical Design) does not typically involve further consultation, following contract award the Department did hold further extensive meetings with all six schools to ensure their input was heard and reflected where possible.

“The design requests raised by Omagh High School were carefully considered by the Strule Programme Team and its specialist advisors during this engagement, which took place between September and November 2024.

“Every effort has been made to respond constructively to school-specific feedback and the Department has accommodated requests where feasible, however there were a range of requests that no new school build within the estate would typically receive.

“Equity across the school estate is a critical principle, and all designs must align with the Department of Education’s School Design Handbook standards.”