New school building joy for Integrated College Dungannon

A MULTI-MILLION new school building for Integrated College Dungannon has officially been given the green light by the Department of Education.

This week, the school said they were delighted with the confirmation that they are to share in the special funding pot for shared and integrated education in NI, launched back in 2016 as part of the Stormont House Fresh Start Agreement.

After years of campaigning, the school says that plans for the major new building to accommodate its 700 plus pupils, are nearing completion.

Principal of ICD, Mr Andrew Sleeth, said the new building was evidence of the growing success of integrated education in the town.

He said, “I am delighted that ICD will receive a new build which will further support our students and accommodate the demand for integrated education in this area.

“I was privileged to take over the role of Principal, of ICD, in 2006 and am delighted that the College has gone from strength to strength over the years.”

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The principal added, “Confirmation of a new build for ICD reaffirms the Department of Education’s support for the growth of the College and we look forward to accommodating integrated education for more students, over the coming years, in our new state-of-the-art College buildings.”

The school says that the McAdam Design Team were appointed as the lead consultant for the Integrated Consultancy Team to take the project from inception to completion.

A business case giving approval to the option of a new school on the existing school site was approved in August 2021.

A spokesperson for ICD said, “Project Board and Project Team meetings continue to take place regularly and the initial design for the new school is near completion.

“Integrated College Dungannon opened its doors in September 1995, following a fervent campaign by parents who had the vision that children should be educated together without segregation or division.”

This week’s confirmation of a new building is a long way from when Integrated College Dungannon was originally situated in mobiles beside Windmill Integrated Primary School before moving to its current location on the Gortmerron Link Road.

The school’s spokesperson added, “In 1995, the initial intake at the College was 60 students; supported by the first Principal, Mr Aidan Dolan, seven teaching staff and three support staff.

“Today, over 700 students attend ICD and are supported by the Principal, Mr Andrew Sleeth, and over 100 staff.”

In April, ICD won the Best Post-Primary College Award NI 2022 at the prestigious Families First Education Awards, hosted by Pete Snodden, in Titanic Buildings, Belfast.

Earlier this year, Stormont passed a new law requiring the Department of Education (DE) to give more support to integrated education, after a private members bill was brought by the Alliance assembly member Kellie Armstrong.

The bill, which was opposed by the DUP, means that the Department of Education has to increase the number of integrated school places and set targets for the number of children being educated in them.