Area Plan for Post-Primary Education
Review of Controlled Education Provision
in
Carrickfergus
Consultation Response
Closing Date: Monday 23 January 2017
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Introduction
The Education Authority is seeking to engage in consultation with the Board of
Governors, parents and staff of Carrickfergus College and Downshire School. Before
arriving at the final recommendation on the nature of future Post Primary non
selective provision, the Education Authority is seeking the views of those most
directly involved at a local level.
Vision
The Education Authority is committed to excellence in the delivery of education so
that every pupil can realise their potential and contribute to a caring, inclusive and
progressive society.
In striving to realise this aspiration, the Education Authority aims to ensure that every
pupil has:

access to a broad and balanced curriculum with opportunities to realise his or
her potential;

an education in which the learning outcomes are appropriate to their needs;

access to quality teaching delivered in a caring and supportive environment;

education delivered in modern, well-resourced facilities, suitable for the
delivery of education in the twenty-first century.
Education Authority Position
The former NEELB Post Primary Area Plan proposed that Carrickfergus College and
Downshire School would work towards becoming a single controlled school by
2017/18.
At the November 2016 meeting of the Education Authority’s Education Committee it
was agreed to initiate consultation with the Board of Governors, staff and parents of
Carrickfergus College and Downshire School, and with the Trustees and Managers
of other schools likely to be affected by the proposal to establish a new controlled
non selective post primary school in Carrickfergus for 1300 pupils, with an admission
number of 210.
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Nature of the Board Recommendation
It is agreed that the population trends are consistent with the trends identified in the
new draft Education Authority Area Plan, 'Providing Pathways,' which also indicates
that the population in the Carrickfergus area will decrease. Whilst Carrickfergus
College operates at 76% of capacity and Downshire School at 68%, neither school
can accommodate all pupils from the other, so there is a strong possibility that this
will initially be on a split site. Such configuration will be a matter for the interim Board
of Governors. There will also be a request that there should be a new build school
based on capital and infrastructural investment.
There are a number of key challenges in Carrickfergus and these include:

The declining population trend – birth rate has dropped by 10%

Addressing the impact of current enrolment patterns – 20%+ post-primary age
children choose education outside Carrickfergus

Provision in Carrickfergus Grammar remains high

Provision in Ulidia Integrated College growing

Duplication of provision in the non-selective sector

Providing equitable access to Entitlement Framework Pathways

Financial sustainability

Restricted sites
Given the declining population the following tables indicate current and projected
enrolments. It should be noted that these are based on trends and population data
from the NI Statistics and Research Agency, but are nonetheless best estimates.
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In considering the information presented here and in the draft Case for Change
(copies available on request), it is agreed that consultation should take place on the
following option:
Carrickfergus College and Downshire School will discontinue, facilitating the
establishment of a new single non-selective controlled school (1300 pupils), which
will initially be on a split site, using both of the existing schools.
Following consultation at local level the Education Authority will make a
recommendation on the establishment of a new controlled non selective school and
any subsequent action will be dependent on this recommendation.
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Timescale
The Education Authority will consider the results of local consultation at the earliest
opportunity. A deputation from the Board of Governors may also choose to attend the
Education Committee or the Board meeting.
Publication of a Development Proposal
Should the Education Authority make a recommendation to change the nature of
existing educational provision in the area, it is required to publish a Development
Proposal outlining any proposed changes. All those affected by the proposal will be
notified and will have the opportunity to make representations expressing their views
directly to the Department of Education during the 2 month objection period. The
following timeline is an indication of the timings and the stages involved in the
process:

Formal Consultation with Governors, Staff, Parents, Pupils (4 weeks) 21
November – 21 December 2016.

Consultation with other affected schools (4 weeks) 21 December – 23 January
2017.

Publish a Development Proposal (March 2017)

DE Period of Objections (8 weeks)

Ministerial decision (June 2017)

Interim Arrangements and Transition

One school September 2018, operating on two sites, with an economic
appraisal to identify a suitable site for the new school
Implications
In the event of the Education Authority publishing a Development Proposal
recommending the Establishment of a new controlled non selective Post Primary
School for pupils aged 11 – 19 with effect from 1 September 2018 or as soon as
possible thereafter, pupils currently in attendance at the school in Year 12 would
have the opportunity to transfer into Post 16.
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Education Authority
With a view to facilitating the establishment of a new controlled non selective Post
Primary School in Carrickfergus for pupils aged 11 – 19 (being in effect an
amalgamation of Carrickfergus College and Downshire School) it is proposed that
both Carrickfergus College and Downshire School discontinue with effect from 31
August 2018 or as soon as possible thereafter. The Education Authority, in
consulting on this important issue, would welcome your comments on the proposal,
or an option of your own.
It is important to indicate how your response meets the Sustainable Schools Policy
requirement ‘that all schools are sustainable in terms of the quality of the educational
experience of children, enrolment trends, financial position, school leadership and
management, accessibility, and the strength of their links to the community.’
It should also be noted that this process cannot be used to consider specific issues
as they currently relate to any individual pupil or adult associated with the school. If
for example as a parent you have concerns relating to your child’s present education
you are advised to contact the Principal or Education Authority as appropriate. Every
effort will be made to address your concerns.
Option 1:
Agree with the proposal
Option 2:
Disagree with the proposal
Option 1 – Agree with the proposal
Option 2 – Disagree with the proposal
Establishment of a new controlled non selective Post Primary School for pupils
aged 11 – 19 with effect from 1 September 2018 or as soon as possible
thereafter.
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Alternative Option: (Please give details)
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Equality Consideration
Under Section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998 all public bodies are obliged to consider
the implications of any decisions on nine different groupings before decisions are
implemented. The two duties within this Equality legislation include promoting equality of
opportunity and promoting good relations between all communities. The equality of
opportunity duty requires that the Authority shall, in carrying out all their functions, powers
and duties, have due regard to the need to promote equality of opportunity:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
Between persons of different religious belief.
Between persons of different political opinion.
Between persons of different racial groups.
Between persons of different age.
Between persons of different marital status.
Between persons of different sexual orientation.
Between men and women generally.
Between persons with a disability and persons without.
Between persons with dependants and persons without.
The Good Relations Duty requires that the Authority shall, without prejudice to their equality
obligations, have regard to the desirability of promoting good relations:
1.
2.
3.
Between persons of different religious belief.
Between persons of different political opinions.
Between persons of different racial groups.
The Education Authority has carried out an equality screening exercise and screened out
these proposals, however, in light of the obligations noted above do you consider that the
establishment of a new controlled non selective Post Primary School for pupils aged 11 – 19
with effect from 1 September 2018 or as soon as possible thereafter will impact positively or
negatively on either Equality of Opportunity or the Promotion of Good Relations in any way?
Section 75 Category
Religious Belief
Political Opinion
Racial Group
Age
Marital Status
Sexual Orientation
Gender
Disability
Dependants
Positive
Negative
Don’t Know
If you ticked any of the above boxes please clarify your reason:
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Arrangements for returning your completed questionnaire
Please return the completed questionnaire by 23 January 2017 to:
Or email to: [email protected]
Or by post to
Education Authority
Schools Branch
County Hall
182 Galgorm Road
Ballymena
BT42 1HN
Source of Response
Governor
Parent
Teaching Staff
Non-Teaching Staff
Union
Other (Please specify)
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