Board condemned by councillors over Derriaghy school closure plan

Councillors criticised the SEELB for at Tuesday night's Monthly council meeting, after several councillors attended a meeting with Board's Commissioners on Thursday September 2, despite the fact a letter was en route to the school, dated Wednesday September 1, informing them the decision had been taken to close the school.

Councillor Margaret Tolerton said: "We met on the Thursday to put the case forward for the school to remain open, and personally, I thought the meeting went very well and that we got a good hearing. I was feeling maybe there was a chance and then the school received a letter dated the day before our meeting to say the school was to close.

"I think this is very dishonest," Mrs Tolerton added. "People in the area are really worried about this situation. Milltown is the second most deprived area in Lisburn, there is no public transport available to bring children to alternative schools. The parents have held a meeting to see where they go now and obviously now there will be a campaign. There is a glimmer of hope, how bright that is nobody knows, but we can't give up without a fight."

Councillors agreed to write to Education Minister Caitriona Ruane to request a meeting over the proposed closure, a meeting which Councillor Trevor Lunn suggested should be a cross-party event.

Councillor Jonathan Craig added: "I think it was disgraceful of the Board, they had obviously made up their minds. It was not only disrespectful, but dishonest."

Mrs Gladys Topping, the principal of Derriaghy Primary School, one of the area's oldest having opened in 1794, said: "As a school, the staff, parents and children are disappointed that the school is still under threat of closure. The feeling of us all is that this school needs to be retained to meet the needs of families in the Milltown area, many of whom will suffer hardship should it close. The area is one of deprivation and severely lacking in amenities. The school is essential for the community.

"We have all written to the Minister of Education putting forward our case for the retention of the school and I would ask all of your readers to do so too. This is one school we must not let close. To close Derriaghy would show a lack of forward planning by both the Board and Department of Education given the development planned for the North Lisburn Feeder Road, and a lack of concern for children and families in the most need in the Milltown area."