Progress for major improvement project at rural school

A MAJOR project to improve a rural primary school which is in dire need of upgrading has taken a significant step forward.

Capital plans for St Mary’s Primary School, Cloughcor have advanced this week and it is anticipated that construction work to repair the building should begin in the 2021/22 financial year.

The proposed project is to build a new standalone administration and teaching block built on existing grass play area at the rear of the site and refurbish the existing building. The rural primary school had previously required over 160 repair jobs inside a five year period and was deemed ‘no longer fit for purpose’.

Significant problems include the school roof and mobile classrooms; the former requiring support trusses and the latter had been leaking on a regular basis.

In 2018, it was announced that the school would receive financial support for an enhancement project worth between £500,000 and £4million, but movement on the job has been slow.

However, local MLA Daniel McCrossan sought an update on the plans from Minister of Education Peter Weir who explained that the Business Case for the school has been approved.

The correspondence stated, “An Integrated Consultancy Team (ICT) was appointed in December 2019 to take the project through the design and construction phases.

“It is anticipated that construction work should begin in the 2021/22 financial year.”

Mr McCrossan says he welcomes the advancement of capital plans but says much more needs to be done for this top class local school.
He said, “Having brought the Minister to Cloughcor a number of years ago, I’m finally happy that there is a commitment for works to start within

the next year to expand this school.

“This work is much needed given the years of neglect it has received from the Department.

“This much needed investment should have happened a long time ago as teaching facilities are in need of upgrading.

“Cloughcor is an amazing example of a local rural school that is constantly delivering at the top of its game year after year.

“I praise the teachers and the other staff at this school for their achievements.”